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1 1 of 9 3/7/ :43 AM Syllabus pdf file Course Schedule Research Methods (pp ) 1. DOWNLOAD THE 3-D BRAIN APP TO YOUR ipad! On pp. 107, Kalat lists 4 basic research methods; be ready to describe and identify one problem with each. Correlate brain anatomy with behavior Examine the effects of brain damage (Does anybody remember poor old Phineas Gage from general psych?) Effects of brain stimulation (animal vs human) Record brain activity during behavior: structural: CAT scans MRI images Antibody Staining functional: PET scans fmri images EEG single cell recording Magnetoencephalography event related potential See table 4.5 (p. 113) for a more complete list Terminology (pp ) The terms in Table 4.1 will be used throughout the course...you need to know them. Basic Organization (pp )

2 2 of 9 3/7/ :43 AM 1. In general, what would you say is the function of the peripheral nervous system? How about the CNS? 2. What's the Bell-Magendie law all about?

3 3 of 9 3/7/ :43 AM 3. Fig. 4.5 may help you understand this organization a little better. 4. What might be the value of having our peripheral system divided into somatic and autonomic systems? Brooke & Ayana Introduction to the Hindbrain & Midbrain Some Questions about the Midbrain and Hindbrain: 1. What connection might there be between the medulla and acute alcohol poisoning? Sasha & Jennifer 2. Any thoughts about what might be meant by the term "ipsilateral-contralateral crossover" and what it might have to do w/ the pons? Sasha & Jennifer

4 4 of 9 3/7/ :43 AM 3. What would happen if a person's reticular formation were damaged? Robert & Samantha 4. What are the implications of the visual and auditory inputs to the RAS? Gladiola & Bridgett Imagine the following experiment: two people are asked to respond as quickly as they can to a series of tones presented at random times. One person, who gets a warning light before each tone, consistently responds more quickly than the person with no warning tone. If you were monitoring brain activity during this task, which hindbrain structure would you expect to be more active in the person who gets the warning light? Why? Zach & Stacie Click here for a look at a couple of cerebellums (should that be cerebelli?) Can you explain why this difference exists between the 2 species? Alex & Miriam Click here for an example of the effects of cerebellar damage. Can you figure out what this experiment was all about? Amanda & Cassie Based on our discussion of the superior and inferior colliculi, how would you characterize the overall function of the midbrain? Anne & Samantha Subcortical Regions of the Forebrain Thalamus: switching station for all senses except smell. Primary input to cortex Hypothalamus: Homeostasis...regulation of hunger, thirst, heart rate, respiration, body temp, hormone production, etc. Also, SCN region serves as the body's internal 24-hr clock. Basal ganglia: organizing and synchronizing movement. Implicated in Parkinson's Disease & Huntington's Disease. release of Dopamine, implicated in reward learning and addictions...cocaine, nicotine and amphetamines.

5 5 of 9 3/7/ :43 AM Limbic System Basal Forebrain: distributes Acetylcholine & GABA widely throughout the brain. Amygdala: emotional behavior (fear, aggression, anger) Hippocampus: formation of new memories Olfactory Bulb: inputs from olfactory receptors Cingulate Gyrus: processing of emotions, pain & fear Some Questions About the Subcortical Regions: Current theories of basal ganglia function center around the individual's ability to select which behavior, out of several options, to initiate at a specific time (see Wikipedia: basal ganglia). How does this view fit with with the fact that the basal ganglia are implicated in Tourette's Syndrome and the bradykinesia often seen in Parkinson's disease? Anne & Cassie Here's a photo of a rat so obese that it has trouble walking on its own. Any guesses which subcortical structure was damaged in this animal? Amanda & Miriam Would it be reasonable to look for connections between the hypothalamus and the basal forebrain? Why or why not? Alex & Stacie In 1953, a man by the name of Henry Molaison had portions of his brain removed by a surgeon in order to reduse the effects of severe epilectic seizures that couldn't be conrolled by medication. The surgery successfully reduces the seizures and his measured IQ remained above average, in spite of the rather large amount of brain tissue removed. However, the surgery had some profound, unexpected effects. In particular, his emotional responses were greatly reduced (what psychologists sometimes call a flat affect) and he was completely unable to learn or remember anything new. Mr. Molaison died in 2008, still unable to recognize the people who had been caring for him for years, and he fully believed the year to still be So the question is, what brain structure(s) do you think were probably removed? Why? Zach & Bridgett 5. For the rest of you (Samantha, Brooke, Ayana, Sasha, Jennifer, Robert, Gladiola), use your resources to find one

6 6 of 9 3/7/ :43 AM additional bit of interesting info about one of the subcortical regions. A Quick Tour: Here's what happens if the two hemispheres can't communicate with each other? (thanks Amanda) A Macro View of the Cortex Occiptal Lobe (primary visual cortex)

7 7 of 9 3/7/ :43 AM Parietal Lobe somatosensory cortex (homunculus) 3-d visual space coordination of vision & movement Temporal Lobe Some language processing:

8 8 of 9 3/7/ :43 AM Here are a couple of interesting videos...thanks Amanda. -Broca's aphasia -Werneke's aphasia Object Identification Here's a great link from Sasha that adds to our understanding of the temporal lobe.

9 9 of 9 3/7/ :43 AM Frontal Lobe primary motor cortex...fine motor control prefrontal cortex...working memory, planning of movements Appliction: identify the major brain structures that would likely be involved in the following task, explaining the role of each: The task: a participant is seated in front of a computer. Each trial begins with an X centered on the screen which the participant is asked to focus on. There will be a short 'beep' followed by the presentation of 2 words, one on the screen where the X was and one presented auditorially. The task is to decide if the two words are the same or different and then hit a green button if they are the same and a red button if they are different. The instructions emphasize that the participant should try to respond as quickly as possible, but not so quickly that unnecessary errors occur. Putting it All Together: The Binding Problem One way to understand the problem is to look at a situation where it fails to occur: Illusory Conjunctions From: Treisman, Anne; Schmidt, Hilary. Cognitive Psychology, Vol 14(1) (Jan 1982): Task: Following a 200 msec display, identify the black digits. On some trials, the person is also asked to report the letters and their colors, but the main task is always the numbers Results: approx 30% illusory conjunctions of letters and color (e.g., "I saw a blue A") Conclusions:???