physiological research methods (sorry if this is in the wrong place!)

What are the advantages and disadvantages of physiological research methods?
Ablation
Stereotaxic Technique
EEG
PET
MRI

any answers to the above will be really helpful thanks :smile:

Reply 1

Breakingscience

Advantage: The participant cannot change/lie about their response

Disadvantage :expensive equipment is often required

sorry thats a rubbish answer doesnt say much in my handbook about it

Reply 2

GodspeedGehenna

echoes_of_silence

What are the advantages and disadvantages of physiological research methods?
Ablation
Stereotaxic Technique
EEG
PET
MRI

any answers to the above will be really helpful thanks :smile:

Ablation: Usually seriously lacking in spatial resolution. You're going to be destroying a lot of tissue that you don't want to, introducing a lot of random error into the procedure. Naturally this can only be done on animals. Often, for neuropsychological symptoms occur, it is not enough to damage the area involved, but the connections in between two areas need to be removed. You also have the problem of spontaneous plasticity. Finally, you can only conclude that a brain area is essential to X process.

Stereotaxic Technique: This can help to improve the spatial accuracy of ablation using co-registration software and previously obtained MRI scans. This means that procedures such as TMS can be applied more specifically and reliably.

EEG: Excellent temporal resolution. You can see activity in real time as it happens. However, EEG has terrible spatial resolution and you might be able to localise a lobe at best. Generally, this is pretty archaic technology.

PET: Brain scan. Requires a dose of radiation meaning repeat scans is a no-go. Very expensive due to the radiation and the staff required to implement it.

MRI: Excellent spatial resolution without the need for radiation. Quick and harmless. However, temporal resolution is poor as the hemodynamic response is generally quite slow. Technology is improving, however.