PSYCO275 Chapter 5: PSYCO 275 Ch 5.docx
21 Apr 2014
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Document Summary
Methods reflect duality of biopsychology: methods of studying nervous system vs. studying behaviour. Prior to 1970s, biopsychological research was limited by inability to obtain images of brain. X rays: can characterize internal structures that differ substantially from surroundings but since the brain structures only differ slightly in ability to absorb x-rays, not a lot of info. Injected substance heightens contrast between the compartment and surrounding tissue. Injecting substance that absorbs x-rays either less or more than surrounding tissue into one compartment. Ex: cerebral angiography: infusion of radio-opaque dye into cerebral artery visualizes cerebral circulatory system during x ray photography, useful for localizing vascular damage, or displacement can indicate tumor location. Computer assisted x-ray procedure visualizes brain and other internal structures of living body. Each photograph is combined by a computer to generate a ct scan of one horizontal section of the brain. Combine everything into a 3d representation of the brain.
