Transcript Neuropsychology

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