Question 1

Although his ability to speak is otherwise normal, a patient suffering from a stroke is having difficulty naming common everyday objects, such as tools. In order to determine which part of the brain is functioning abnormally, his doctor may use which of the following techniques?

Accepted Answer

Using fMRI to compare the activity of the patient's brain to that of normal volunteers when presented with pictures of various tools is the best choice for determining which specific part of the brain is not functioning properly. This technique allows the doctor to observe real-time brain activity and identify any differences or abnormalities in the patient's brain. The other options (autopsy, CT scan, and neurosurgery) are either not applicable or too invasive/dangerous in this scenario.

Question 2

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology is based on

Accepted Answer

MRI technology is based on magnetism, specifically the use of strong magnetic fields and radio waves to generate images of the body. It does not use radioactivity or x-rays like other medical imaging technologies such as CT scans or PET scans.

Question 3

The BOLD effect is important in which of the following technologies?

Accepted Answer

The BOLD effect is a phenomenon observed in fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging), which is a neuroimaging technology used to measure brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow. Therefore, the best choice is D. PET (A) and CT (B) are also imaging technologies, but they do not rely on the BOLD effect. EEG (C) measures electrical activity in the brain and is not related to the BOLD effect.

Question 4

Which of the following contemporary technologies was previewed by nineteenth century physiologist Angelo Mosso's work with patients who had head injuries?

Accepted Answer

Angelo Mosso's work in the nineteenth century with patients who had head injuries laid the groundwork for understanding how blood flow in the brain is related to mental activity, a principle that is central to functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) technology. fMRI measures brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow, directly connecting to Mosso's early observations and theories.

Question 5

In MRI technology, the area of the body to be imaged is exposed to

Accepted Answer

MRI technology uses radio frequency (RF) pulses to create images. It does not expose the body to x-rays, radioactivity, or a gamma camera.

Question 6

Quantitative analysis of modern electroencephalography (EEG) recordings can be used to

Accepted Answer

Modern EEG recordings can be quantitatively analyzed to construct 3-D maps of brain activity, allowing researchers to better understand the patterns of brain waves, and to identify abnormalities or changes in brain function associated with various neurological and psychiatric disorders. EEG is a useful tool to study brain activity patterns in real time and to localize brain function during certain tasks. However, EEG cannot be used to generate high resolution images of brain structures or track the utilization of glucose and oxygen by the brain, which are typically accomplished through other imaging methods such as MRI or PET. EEG can also provide an indirect measure of the neurochemicals active in particular parts of the brain, but cannot directly identify them.

Question 7

PET scans

Accepted Answer

PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans utilize detectors of radioactive tracers to measure metabolic activity in the body. The participant is injected with a small amount of a radioactive substance, which is detected by the PET scanner to create an image of the internal body functions. It does not expose the participant to x-rays or require them to wear a helmet containing sensors.

Question 8

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) takes advantage of the fact that compared with less active neurons, more active neurons require greater amounts of

Accepted Answer

fMRI measures changes in the levels of oxygen in the blood, as more active neurons require greater amounts of oxygen to function.

Question 9

Traditionally, electroencephalography (EEG) is most commonly used to study

Accepted Answer

EEG is commonly used to study states of consciousness and epilepsy. It is a non-invasive tool that measures electrical activity in the brain, making it a useful tool for studying changes in brain activity during seizures and different states of consciousness like wakefulness, sleep, and anesthesia. While EEG can be used in other areas of study as well, it is usually most closely associated with the study of consciousness and epilepsy.

Question 10

In MRI technologies, we use the term voxel to refer to

Accepted Answer

Voxel stands for "volume element," which refers to a small three-dimensional cube-shaped area of tissue that is assigned a pixel of appropriate color or darkness in an MRI image. Each voxel represents a small volume of tissue, and the collection of all voxels together creates the three-dimensional image. The size of each voxel can vary, but typically they are in the range of a few millimeters cubed. The other options, such as the rate of atoms spinning or the strength of magnets, are important factors in MRI technology, but they do not directly relate to the definition of a voxel. Gamma rays are not typically used in traditional MRI imaging, so option D is also not correct.

Question 11

Future law enforcement personnel might possibly be able to use which of the following technologies to assess whether a person is being truthful or not?

Accepted Answer

fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) has shown promising results in detecting deception by measuring changes in brain activity that occur when someone is lying. PET, MEG, and repeated rTMS have not yet shown consistent and reliable results in determining deception.

Question 12

Joan has a seizure disorder. Her doctors are most likely to assess her progress using which of the following technologies?

Accepted Answer

Electroencephalography (EEG) is the best choice for assessing seizure disorder progress as it measures electrical activity in the brain and can detect abnormalities in brainwave patterns associated with seizures. PET and fMRI can show brain function but are less useful for assessing seizure activity. CT scans are primarily used to visualize structural changes in the brain and are not typically used to assess seizure disorder progress.

Question 13

In MRI technology, powerful magnets are used to align

Accepted Answer

MRI technology uses powerful magnets to align hydrogen atoms in the body. This alignment creates a magnetic field that is detected by the scanner and turned into an image. Other substances, such as oxygen or glucose, do not align in the same way and cannot be detected by MRI scanners.

Question 14

Compared with PET scans, fMRI provides

Accepted Answer

fMRI provides more information about brain activity than PET scans as it measures changes in blood flow and oxygenation levels in the brain, which directly reflect neural activity. PET scans, on the other hand, rely on the injection of a radioactive tracer and can only measure the uptake of this tracer in specific areas of the brain.

Question 15

Naomi Eisenberger and her colleagues are interested in whether or not brain activity correlates with feelings of social rejection. If you were advising Dr. Eisenberger, which technology would you recommend for her study?

Accepted Answer

fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is the best choice for Dr. Eisenberger's study as it allows for the detection of changes in brain activity associated with social rejection in real-time. Additionally, fMRI provides high spatial resolution, allowing for the identification of specific brain regions involved in processing social rejection. EEG (Electroencephalography) is a potential alternative, but it provides lower spatial resolution than fMRI, making it difficult to pinpoint specific brain regions involved in social rejection. CT (Computed Tomography) is not appropriate for this type of study as it only provides structural images of the brain rather than functional information. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) also provides structural information, but it does not have the same level of functional specificity as fMRI.

Question 16

Hemoglobin's magnetic properties change when it is

Accepted Answer

Hemoglobin's magnetic properties change when it is combined with oxygen because oxygen binds to the iron in the hemoglobin molecule, causing a shift in electron density and thus changing its magnetic properties.

Question 17

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) requires

Accepted Answer

fMRI involves capturing multiple images in quick succession to measure brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow.

Question 18

In PET scans, colors are assigned that reflect the

Accepted Answer

PET scans measure the amount of activity in a particular area of the brain by detecting the amount of glucose uptake in that area. Colors are assigned based on the level of activity detected, with areas of high activity typically shown in bright colors and areas of low activity shown in cooler colors.

Question 19

A red area in a PET scan typically indicates that the area is showing ________ activity.

Accepted Answer

A red area in a PET scan typically indicates high activity as PET scans detect areas where cells are actively using glucose, which indicates high metabolic activity.

Question 20

The first EEG recordings were made by

Accepted Answer

The first EEG recordings were made by German psychiatrist Hans Berger in 1924.

Quiz 1: What Is Behavioral Neuroscience?