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Neuropsychology. Or Ion Channels, Action Potentials, and other “shocking” things about the brain (the most “current” information available!). The Neuron. Basic Unit of Neuropsychology Golgi Stain shows anatomy of neurons Nissl Stain shows number of neurons in a given area. The Neuron.
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Neuropsychology Or Ion Channels, Action Potentials, and other “shocking” things about the brain (the most “current” information available!)
The Neuron Basic Unit of Neuropsychology Golgi Stain shows anatomy of neurons Nissl Stain shows number of neurons in a given area
The Neuron Because of excess K+ ions inside the cell membrane the neuron is polarized When enough excitatory neurotransmitters bind, the neuron depolarizes and ‘fires’
Single Cell Recording Place an electrode on a single neuron and measure the frequency of firing. Can also do single cell stimulation – pleasure center studies
Lesions Strokes Aspiration Lesions Cryogenic Blockade External Injuries – Picture is Phineas Gage’s actual skull!
Methods in Neuropsych Spatial Resolution – How close in physical proximity you can get to the target brain area Temporal Resolution – How close in time you can get to when the neurons fire Invasiveness – The extent to which foreign substances are introduced to the body. Cost – All are really expensive
fMRI Measures O2 flow to different brain areas
fMRI Good Spatial Resolution, poor temporal resolution, completely non-invasive
PET Measures 2-deoxyglycose flow to brain areas
PET Excellent Spatial Resolution, poor temporal resolution, somewhat invasive
MEG Measures magnetic signals associated with neural firing in brain areas
MEG Poor spatial resolution, excellent temporal resolution, completely non-invasive
Optical Imaging Measures light absorption associated with neural firing in brain areas
Optical Imaging Good, but limited spatial resolution, excellent temporal resolution, completely non-invasive
TMS Sends current through the scalp to activate different neural regions
TMS Good Spatial Resolution, Excellent temporal resolution, highly invasive
Dissociations Good Neuropsych studies look for dissociations: Task 1 Task 2 No Activation Brain Area 1 Activation No Activation Brain Area 2 Activation
Memory Hippocampal lesions and the case of H.M.
Memory Bilateral Removal of the Hippocampus Anterograde vs. Retrograde Amnesia Short Term vs. Long Term Memory Implicit vs. Explicit Memory
Parting Thoughts Famous dissociation is the Fusiform Gyrus