Morphometric neuroimaging is the measurement and analysis of brain morphology (which is the structure, shape, and composition of the brain) via neuroimaging techniques.

Morphometry (Morphometric Neuroimaging)

Brain imaging techniques can be broadly categorized based on the fundamental physical principles they utilize. The primary methods involve the use of radiation, the manipulation of magnetic fields, or the measurement of the brain's natural electrical activity.

Categorization of Brain Imaging Techniques

Computed Tomography (CT) is a technological technique used for imaging the structure and function of the brain.

Computed Tomography (CT)

A neuroscientist claims, 'With the advent of modern brain imaging, studying individuals with brain injuries has become an outdated and unnecessary method for understanding brain function.' Evaluate this claim. In your response, consider the unique contributions and limitations of both approaches to studying the brain.

Evaluating Methods for Studying Brain Function

A team of cognitive scientists wants to identify the specific brain areas that are most active when a person is engaged in creative problem-solving versus routine, step-by-step problem-solving. They have access to a group of healthy adult volunteers and want to observe brain function as it happens during these tasks. The team is considering two primary approaches:

1.  Studying the problem-solving abilities of patients who have pre-existing damage to different parts of their brains.
2.  Using a technology that can observe and map activity across the entire brain in their healthy volunteers as they perform the tasks.

Evaluate these two approaches. Which one is better suited to the team's specific research goal, and why? In your answer, explain the key advantage of your chosen method and a significant limitation of the rejected method for this particular study.

Choosing a Research Method for Brain Function

Brain imaging techniques provide a non-invasive way to study the brain's functions, complementing insights gained from analyzing brain injuries. These methods can be applied to healthy individuals to obtain information about how different parts of the brain operate, often relying on radiation, magnetic fields, or electrical activity.

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The expanded, front section of the central nervous system located within the skull. It is an incredibly intricate organ made up of billions of interconnected neurons and glial cells. The brain is a bilateral structure, meaning it has two sides, and can be divided into distinct lobes. Each lobe is linked to specific functions, but all parts of the brain work together to underpin our thoughts and behaviors.

Brain

Goldstein, E. B. (2014). Cognitive psychology: Connecting mind, research and everyday experience. Nelson Education.


Cognitive psychology: Connecting mind, research and everyday experience

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

There exists a progression of processing that starts at lower-level areas of the brain and moves to higher-level areas. These lower-level areas respond to simple stimuli and send their feedback to areas in charge of more complex tasks in pursuit of eventually forming a representation.

Hierarchical Processing

Different cognitive processes take different paths through the brain. Some notable pathways are:
- the what pathway
- the where pathway
- perception pathway
- action pathway

Pathways in the brain

Specific areas of the brain serve different specific functions

Localization of function

The interacting brain regions that are engaged when we are not working on a task or focused on the external world. The same regions are active when we think about people (so our default thoughts are often about people).

Default mode network

A group of subcortical nuclei, that is well connected with the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and brainstem. It is associated with control of voluntary motor movements, procedural learning, habit learning, eye movements, cognition, and emotion. Stores habits even when the rest of the brain is "asleep". (It is the red region in the image; blue = related structures).

Basil Ganglia (basil nuclei)

The brain is divided into three primary sections based on their relative size and position: the forebrain, the midbrain, and the hindbrain. The forebrain is the largest portion of the brain, while the midbrain is a smaller section located centrally. The hindbrain is situated in the lower back part of the brain.

Three Main Parts of the Brain

* Phineas Gage 
* Henry Molaison (H.M.)
* John Nash
* Clive Wearing
* James Wannerton

Influential Case Studies in Brain Function and Behavior

The meninges are the membrane layers that protect the surrounds the brain. They are found beneath the skull.

Meninges

A central task for psychologists is to understand the relationship between the body's internal biological processes and their external psychological expressions. For instance, a key challenge is explaining how the complex activity of millions of neurons in the brain translates into a subjective experience like a thought. This is analogous to understanding how a device's internal circuits and microchips produce the functions we observe on its user interface.

The Mind-Body Connection as a Focus of Psychology

Although distinct lobes and areas of the brain are associated with specific functions, they do not operate in isolation. All brain regions interact and communicate with one another, and this integrated activity forms the basis for our thoughts and behaviors.

Interaction of Brain Areas

The extensive study of individuals with brain damage has been a primary method for gathering information about the functional roles of different areas of the brain.

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