Brain Imaging Techniques

Discuss the use of brain-imaging technologies in investigating the relationship

between biological factors and behavior
Discuss- Evaluate MAGEC
Brain imaging technologies- EEG, PET, fMRI
Biological factors- Brain waves, metabolism, dopamine
Behavior- sleep & dreaming, violence, schizophrenia, emotions, epilepsy,
Alzheimers
Introduction
Brain imaging can give us a clear insight to human behavior.
Modern technology is extensively used in neuropsychology
It helps us study the active brain
And allows us to see where specific brain processes take place
-It allows for the study of the localization of function in the brain and discover
many brain patterns for dysfunctional behaviors
EEG electroencephalogram
-An EEG printout is thought of as brainwaves
-When neurons transport information through the brain, they have electrical
charge
-The EEG registers patterns of voltage change in the brain
-This allows a better understanding of behaviors like sleep, emotions, epilepsy:
Limited information-does not show whats happening in deeper regions
Doesnt show actual functioning of the brain
Brain wave patterns of sleep: There are 5 stages of sleep, each one occurs in a
recurring cycle of 90 to 110 minutes
Resting but awake- relaxed wakefulness (eyes shut) shows rhythmic 8-12
Hertz alpha waves
Stage 1 sleep-This last around 10 minutes. Our muscle activity slows down
and slight twitching may occur, we can be awakened easily at this stage.
Stage 1 non-REM sleep shows mixed frequencies, especially 3-7 Hertz
theta waves
Stage 2 sleep- This last around 20 minutes. The breathing pattern and
heart rate start to slow down. Stage 2 non-REM sleep shows 12-14 Hertz
sleep spindles and K-complexes
Stage 3 and 4 sleep-This lasts 40-50 minutes and the brain begins to
produce delta waves, a type of wave that is high amplitude and low
frequency. Breathing and heart rate are at their lowest levels. Hard to wake
people up in stage 4. Delta sleep shows large-amplitude (>75 V) 0.5-2
Hertz delta waves
Rapid Eye Movement sleep- This lasts about 20 minutes and the brain is
very active-often more so than when we are awake. REM sleep shows lowamplitude, mixed frequencies with sawtooth waves.
Dement and Kleitman
Aim: investigate relationship between eye movements and dreaming
Method: under laboratory conditions, participants had to eat normally, avoiding
caffeine or alcohol in the day of the study, then the participants went to bed in a
quiet dark room. EEG used to amplify signals of electrodes when attached to
participants. They were then woken up at random to retell dreams (if they ahd
dreamed)
Results: those with REM recalled that they were dreaming
http://www.holah.co.uk/study/dement/
MAGEC
M-Method-LAB (Low Eco Val high Control)

A-Application-understanding brain activity during sleep and the connection to REM

and dreams
G-Gender-7 men and 2 women
E-Ethics-invasive whilst someone sleeps?
C-Culturally specific to western civilizations due to the nature of the participants?
Evaluation of Dement and Kleitman
An obvious weakness of the study is its lack of ecological validity. The
situation in which the participants had to sleep was unusual and could
have affected their sleep patterns. Also the nature of the method of waking
participants may have affected their ability to recall their dream
A further problem with the study was the sample size. The sample size was
small and only included 2 females so we could argue that the results were
biased towards the dream pattern of men rather than women. Subsequent
studies have found that there are large differences between individuals in
the reports of dreaming during REM
Subsequent studies have not supported Dement and Kleitmans findings
that there is a relationship between eye movements and what the person
is dreaming about
However the method was very tightly controlled. For example the
researchers were able to control the location, sleeping time and the
participants use of stimulants
PET-Positon Emission Tomography
A PET scan monitors glucose metabolism in the brain. They measure important
functions in the brain (glucose consumption, blood flow)
A patient is injected with a harmless dose of radioactive glucose, and the
radioactive particles emitted by the glucose are detected by the PET
scanner
The scans produced colored maps of brain activity
PET scans used to diagnose abnormalities: tumors, changes as in
Alzheimers, and comparing brain differences to normal brains and people
with psychological disorders
The record ongoing activity-like thinking
PET: Research
Gur et al: more active metabolism in primitive brain centers controlling violence
in men than women
Lindstroem et al: The Dopamine Hypothesis
Aim: Whether schizophrenic patients had differences in dopamine levels
Method: PET scan of 10 patients with schizophrenia and 10 healthy
controls. Inject patients with I-DOPA, which is used in production of
dopamine
Results: I-DOPA was taken up more quickly in patients with schizophrenia,
suggesting that more dopamine was used for production
http://www.slideshare.net/psychexchange.co.uk/psychexchangecoukshared-resource-3319274
MAGEC
M-Method-LAB (Low Eco Val high Control)
A-Application-only 10 participants but highlights the dopamine hypothesis/not the
only approach to understanding behavior (social and cognitive too)
GE-Ethics-is it right to inject someone?
C-Culturally specific to western civilization due to participants?
fMRI-Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

An fMRI creates a 3D picture of the brain structures using magnetic fields and
radio waves
-The scan shows brain activity, indicating areas of the brain that are active when
engaged in behavior
fMRI: Research
Macro Iacoboni
Aim: Whether changes in emotion expressed on ones face would affect
the brain of the observer that is stimulated
Method: Participants had to look at human faces under a fMRI (imitate the
faces shown, just watch the faces shown)
Results: same areas of the brain activated in method one and two. Limbic
system was stimulated, as observing a happy face activated the pleasure
centers of the brain
MAGEC
M-Method- Lab high control low Eco Val
A-Application understanding the areas of the brains involvement in behavior
G-Gender (unspecified)
E-Ethics, intrusive you cant hide your emotions
C-Culture specific?
Evaluation of brain scanning techniques
-Not a natural environment to look at behavior, cognition
-Use of colors may exaggerate different activities of the brain
-Brain area activate for various reasons-just because amygdala lights up, it
doesnt necessarily mean that fear is part of the response of being observed. +
Objective form of measuring activity
Conclusion
-Some people may find unexpected problems in their brain through experiments
Researchers must be sensitive and professional when dealing with these
problems
No demand characteristics, cant fake brain activity
Research effects- maybe looking for something specific-misinterpretation of idea
Help give a clearer insight to human behavior and ways of treatment
Also helps marketing people to discover what people want-however people may
not think its right for people to monitor their brain (ethics)