question

experimental abalation

answer

the removal or destruction of a portion of the brain of a laboratory animal; presumably , the function that can no longer be performed are the ones the region previously controlled

question

lesion study

answer

a synonym for experimental ablation

question

excitotoxic lesion

answer

a brain lesion produce by intracerebral injection of an excitatory amino acid, such as kainic acid

question

sham lesion

answer

a placebo procedure that duplicates all the steps of producing a brain lesion except the one that actually causes the brain damage

question

stereotaxic surgery

answer

brain surgery using a stereotaxic apparatus to position an electrode or cannula in a specified position of the brain

question

bregma

answer

the junction of the saggital and coronal sutures of the skull; often used as a reference point for stereotaxic brain surgery

question

stereotaxic atlas

answer

a collection of drawings of sections of the brain of a particular animal with measurements that provide coordinates for stereotaxic surgery

question

stereotaxic apparatus

answer

a device that permits a surgeon to position an electrode or cannula into specific parts of the brain

question

fixative

answer

a chemical such as formalin; used to prepare and preserve body tissue

question

formalin

answer

the aqueous solution of formaldehyde gas ; the most commonly used tissue fixative

question

perfusion

answer

the process by which an animal's blood is replaced by a fluid such as a saline solution or a fixative in preparing the brain for histological examination

question

microtome

answer

an instrument that produces very thin slices of body tissues

question

transmission electron microscope

answer

a microscope that passes a focused beam of electrons through thin slices of tissue to reveal extremely small details

question

scanning electron microscope

answer

a microscope that provides three dimensional info about the shape of the surface of a small object by scanning the object with a thin beam of electrons

question

confocal laser scanning microscope

answer

a microscope that provides high-resolution images of various depths of thick tissues that contains fluorescent molecules by scanning the tissue with light from a laser beam.

question

anterograde labeling method

answer

a histological method that labels the axons and terminal buttons of neutrons whose cell bodies are located in a particular region

question

PHA-L

answer

phaseolus vulgaris leukoagglutinin; a protein derived from kidney beans and used as an anterograde tracer; taken up by dendrites and cell bodies and carried to the ends of the axons

question

immunocytochemical method

answer

a histological method that uses radioactive antibodies bound with a dye molecule to indicate the presence of particular proteins of peptides

question

Methods for tracing efferent axons

answer

anterograde labeling method and immunocytochemical methods

question

retrograde labeling method

answer

a histological method that labels cell bodies that give rise to the terminal buttons that form synapses with cells in a particular region

question

fluorogold

answer

a dye that serves as a retrograde label; taken up by terminal buttons and carried back to the cell bodies

question

pseudorabies virus

answer

a weakened form of a pig herpes virus used for retrograde transneuronal tracing, which labels a series of neurons that are interconnected synaptially

question

Recording the brain's metabolic and synaptic activity

answer

2 deooxyglucose (2-DG) autoradiography, postiron emission tomography (PET) scan, fos protein stains,fMRI

question

herpes simplex virus

answer

a form of herpes virus used for anterograde transneuronal tracing, which labels a series of neurons that are interconnected synaptically

question

computerized tomography (CT)

answer

the use of a device that employs a computer to analyze data obtained by a scanning beam of x rays to produce a two dimensional picture of a slice through the brain

question

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

answer

a technique whereby the interior of the body can be accurately imaged; involves the interaction between radio waves and a strong magnetic field

question

Methods of retrograde labeling

answer

flouorogold, psuedorabies virus and herpes simples

question

Methods of studying the living brain

answer

computerized tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)

question

microelectrode

answer

a very fine electrode, generally used to record activity of individual neurons

question

single unit recording

answer

recording of the electrical activity of a single neuron

question

macroelectrode

answer

an electrode used to record the electrical activity of large numbers of neurons in a particular region of the brain; much larger than a microelectrode

question

electroencephalogram

answer

an electrical brain potential recorded by place electrodes on in the scalp

question

magnetoenchephalography

answer

a procedure that detects groups of synchronously activated neurons by means of the magnetic field induced by their electrical activity; uses an array of superconducting quantum interference devices, or SQUIDS

question

2-deoxyglucose (2-DG)

answer

a sugar that enters cells along with glucose but is not metabolized

question

autoradiography

answer

a procedure that locates radioactive substances in a slice of tissue; the radiation exposes a photographic emulsion or a piece of film that covers the tissue

question

fos

answer

a protein produce in the nucleus of a neuron in response to synaptic stimulation

question

functional imaging

answer

a computerized method of detecting metabolic or chemical changes in particular region of the brain

question

positron emission tomography (PET)

answer

a functional imaging method that reveals the localization of a radioactive tracer in a living brain

question

functional MRI (fMRI)

answer

a functional imaging method; a modification of the MRI procedure that permits the measurement of regional metabolism in the brain, usually by detecting changes in blood oxygen level

question

transcranial magnetic stimulation

answer

stimulation of the cerebral cortex by means of magnetic fields produced by passing pulses of electricity through a coil of wire placed next to the skull; interferes with the functions of the brain region that is stimulated

question

in situ hybridization

answer

the production of RNA that is complementary to a particular messenger RNA in order to detect the presence of the messenger RNA

question

microdialysis

answer

a procedure for analyzing chemicals present in the interstitial fluid through a small piece of tubing made of a semipermeable membrane that is implanted in the brain

question

targeted mutation

answer

a mutated gene (also called a knockout gene) produced in the laboratory and inserted into the chromosomes of mice; fails to produce a functional protein

question

antisense oligonucleotide

answer

modified RNA or DNA that binds with a specific molecule of mRNA and prevents it from producing its protein

question

photostimulation

answer

stimulation of cells with ion channels sensitive to light of certain wavelenghts

question

Stereotaxic Atlas

answer

Brain map used in stereotaxic surgery for 3D accuracy

question

Stereotaxic device

answer

Used to ensure 3D accuracy during surgery; immobilises and orients the head

question

Bregma

answer

The junction of the sagittal and coronal sutures of the skull; often used as a reference point for stereotaxic brain surgery

question

Three landmarks used for stereotaxic surgery

answer

1. Dura 2. Bregma 3. Midlinesutra

question

Midlinesutra

answer

Approximates the imaginary midline

question

Dura

answer

The depth (from dorsal to ventral)

question

Three devices used in stereotaxic surgery

answer

1.electrode 2.cannula 3.knife-holder

question

Electrode

answer

Uses electricity

question

Cannula

answer

Uses chemicals

question

Knife-holder

answer

Uses knife

question

Nonspecific electrolytic lesions

answer

Use electricity (electrodes) to destroy a brain region in order to figure out if such a brain region is Esdras tail for some particular behaviour of interest ~ nonspecific because it is burning a hole in the brain (axons of passage are also damaged by accident)

question

Excitotoxic lesions

answer

Infuse certain chemicals using a cannula that over excite neurons so they die ~ cell body lesions~ spare axons of passage

question

Excitotoxic chemicals

answer

Ibotenic acid (IBO) Quinolinic acid Kainic acid

question

NT-Specific lesions

answer

Selectively destroying neurons that produce a particular neurotransmitter ~ NT-specific cell death ~ cell bodies selectively destroyed; axons spared

question

6-OHDA

answer

Infused into the striatum (through NT-specific lesions) to destroy Substantia Nigra to deplete the basal ganglia of its source of DA - animal modeled of Parkinson's Disease

question

IBO (ibotenic acid)

answer

Infused into the VMH (through Excitotoxic lesions) to decrease lordosis without effecting eating habits of mice Infused in either the LH or ARC to cause eating issues in mice

question

VMH (ventramedial hypothalamus)

answer

Essential for female sexual receptivity in mice (lordosis)

question

Lordosis

answer

An increased curving of the spine- essential for female sexual receptivity in mice

question

LH (lateral hypothalamus)

answer

ARC (arcuate nucleus) neurons project to the LH- connection essential for normal eating habits

question

ARC (arcuate nucleus)

answer

ARC neurons project to the LH- important for normal eating habits

question

Knife-Cuts

answer

A brain distraction technique used to disconnect brain regions from one another ~ sever fiber connections ~ investigate neurocircuitry underlying behavior

question

Brain Destruction Techniques

answer

Electrolytic lesions Excitotoxic lesions NT-specific lesions Knife-cuts

question

Temporary Inactivation Techniques

answer

Stopping neutral activation in a reversible way; using ABA design

question

3 Temporary Inactivation Techniques

answer

Infusion of NT antagonist Local lidocaine TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation)

question

ABA design

answer

A: baseline behavior B: manipulation & record behavior A: return to baseline behavior Allows for animals to serve as their own control

question

Histology

answer

Preparing the brain so that one can later visualize & quantify "something" to compare different groups of animals ~ neural tissue examination -tissue perfusion, slicing tissue using a microtome, staining brain sections, microscopically inspecting tissue & computer use to quantify relative densities or damage

question

Immunocytochemistry (ICC)

answer

-Allows one to visualise enzyme amount and location within particular cells by tagging primary and secondary antibodies -Can be used to determine where and how much NT-producing ability neurones have

question

c-Fos ICC

answer

Tagging c-Fos using ICC in an effort to provide evidence of neural activation (brain region is active)

question

c-Fos

answer

An immediate, early gene product -high c-Fos ICC levels in brain region means that brain region was active

question

Autoradiography

answer

Can radioactively tag either NT receptors (hormone receptors ie. DA/testosterone) or glucose (brain uses for energy; 2-DG autoradiography used to quantify brain activity)

question

Perfusion

answer

A technique that involves saline being pushed through followed by a formaldehyde-based solution -prevents enzymatic degradation -makes brain hard enough to cut

question

Microtome

answer

Used to cut brains (like a deli slicer) -can be set to cut at different microns (thickness)

question

in situ hybridization (ISH)

answer

Determines NT-producing level and location by radioactively labeling mRNA or DNA

question

Tract-Tracing Techniques

answer

Used to establish neural connections (neural connectivity investigation)

question

Efferents

answer

Exiting fibers

question

Afferents

answer

Arriving fibers

question

3 Tract-Tracing Techniques

answer

1. Anterograde 2. Retrograde 3. Transneuronal

question

Anterograde Tract Tracing

answer

Some chemicals, when infused in a brain region, move forward from the injection site (ie. PHA-L) - used to identify efferents

question

Retrograde Tract Tracing

answer

Some chemicals, when infused in a brain region, move backwards for the injection site (ie. fluorogold aka FG) -used to identify afferents

question

Transneuronal Tract Tracing

answer

Makes use of a virus that moves both forward and backwards from the infusion site -used to identify circuits

question

Stimulation and Recording Techniques

answer

Based on the idea of the brain working electrically and chemically Can be: Short-term; long-term; in vito; in vitro

question

Short-term stimulation and recording

answer

Acute

question

Long-term stimulation and recording

answer

Chronic

question

In Vito

answer

In live, behaving animals

question

In Vitro

answer

In a dish; brain tissue kept to experiment on it

question

Stimulation techniques

answer

Lower an electrode or cannula into the brain to stimulate endogenous signal

question

Recording Techniques

answer

To investigate neural activity; can be chronically implanted, or in a dish

question

Macroelectrodes

answer

Apply large electrodes to someone's scalp to record cortical brain activity ie. in a sleep lab one could record cortical brain waves to differentiate sleep stages

question

Microelectrodes

answer

Single unit recording; you can record the activity of individual neurones firing

question

Microdialysis

answer

Take out or put in fluids

question

fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging)

answer

Brain scan that indicates brain activation while someone is engaging in a mental process

question

Single-unit

answer

Record electrical activity of individual neurons, often with brain-slice preparation technique

question

Brain-slice preparation

answer

Neural tissue removed and artificially maintained to permit recordings

question

Microdyalisis

answer

Detect transmitter substances and metabolites; can be chronically implanted

question

Stimulation on a range

answer

Minor - chemical and electrical activation Medium - transcranial magnetic stimulation Major - Excitotoxic lesions

question

A(n) ________ allows an experimenter to determine whether a brain lesion produced a behavioral effect.

answer

sham-lesion control group

question

Which of the below statements provides the best support for lesion studies?

answer

Brain lesions may provide insight into the function of a specific area of the brain because of behavioral changes.

question

Which of the following is the oldest method of studying brain function?

answer

experimental ablation

question

The ________ technique would be used to trace efferent axons from a brain region.

answer

anterograde labeling method with PHA-L

question

A scientist wishing to locate small bundles of axons in the human brain would be advised to use the _______ technique.

answer

diffuser tension imaging

question

Which of the following is used to record and amplify the electrical activity of the brain from the scalp?

answer

polygraph

question

What is the main advantage of using pseudorabies virus for tracing as opposed to anterograde and retrograde labeling?

answer

the pseudorabies virus can identify serial connections among two or more neurons.

question

Which of the following is stained most intensely by cresyl violet?

answer

cell bodies

question

The limit of magnification at which a light microscope can resolve the fine details of brain structure is X___

answer

1,500

question

Which of the following is true of confocal laser scanning microscopy?

answer

The procedure can be used to visualize living brain cells.

question

A useful attribute of immediate early genes for neuron visualization techniques is that

answer

the presence of the gene product in the nucleus is a marker of neuron activation.

question

The ________ technique of takes advantage of the fact that a particular ________ can open voltage-gated ion channels in neurons.

answer

optogenetic; light

question

________________ is the _______________ technique.

answer

One of the oldest methods used in neuroscience; experimental ablation.

question

Which of the following means "moving backwards"?

answer

retrograde

question

Which of the following techniques for visualizing the living brain was first developed?

answer

computerized tomography.

question

How did the neurosurgeons find out that clamping off Mrs. F.'s left common carotid artery produced insufficient blood flow to her brain?

answer

Her EEG record showed slow wave activity.

question

Immunocytochemical techniques take advantage of the specific affinity of antibodies for

answer

a peptide or protein molecule.

question

________ refers to a histological procedure in which blood is drained and replaced byanother fluid, such as a salt solution.

answer

perfusion

question

Formalin is useful in the histology laboratory because it

answer

halts the enzyme process that breaks down brain tissue after death.

question

Which of following reveals the details of neuron structure in a brain section?

answer

stains

question

Which of the following terms does not belong with the others?

answer

electrical stimulation of the brain B. staining the brain C. cutting the brain D. visual examination of a stained section E. fixing the brain

question

Twins that share a particular trait are ________ for the trait.

answer

concordant

question

Peptides or proteins can be localized in the brain using

answer

immunocytochemistry.

question

Which of the below statements provides the best support for the function of neural circuits?

answer

They contribute to a behavior.

question

Which of the following chemicals can be used to create a reversible lesion in brain tissue?

answer

a local anesthetic

question

Which of the following would be problematic for conclusions regarding the behavioral effects of brain lesions?

answer

A lesion may change behavior due to the alterations to the function of other brain structures.

question

Imagine that feeding behavior was eliminated when a radio-frequency lesion was used to damage the lateral hypothalamus of a rat, which suggested that cells within this region initiate feeding. If a subsequent study failed to observe a change in feeding after injection of kainic acid into the lateral hypothalamus, what conclusion would be appropriate?

answer

The changes in eating noted in the first study are due to fibers that are passing through the lateral hypothalamus.

question

A key advantage of ________ lesions is that they affect only neural cell bodies and do not damage axons passing through the region.

answer

excitotoxic

question

_____________ infusions into the brain result in ______________ through the process of _____________.

answer

kainic acid; destroy cell bodies; overstimulation

question

The chemical ________ can be used to trace the paths of afferent axons.

answer

fluorogold

question

A recently developed method for tracing efferent axons involves

answer

PHA-L.

question

The usefulness of pseudorabies virus for histological analyses is

answer

for the tracing of serial synaptic connections.

question

Which of the following techniques can be used to visualize axon bundles in a living brain?

answer

diffusion tensor imaging

question

Single-unit recordings

answer

indicate that serotonergic neuron activity is nil during REM sleep

question

______, a protein made by kidney beans, is used in neuroscience to __________.

answer

PHA-L; label neuronal pathways by anterograde transport.

question

Imagine that prior research has suggested that neurons from the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) project to the prefrontal cortex (PFC) to control eating behavior. To confirm this suggestion, your next step might be inject fluorogold into the ________ and confirm its transport to the ________.

answer

PVN; PFC

question

A transient ischemic attack involves the

answer

temporary loss of neural function brought on by blood clots in the brain.

question

Which of the following is used to display the changes in voltage recorded from the scalp over time?

answer

polygraph

question

The ________ technique uses a radio frequency wave to excite hydrogen atoms in the brain to create an image of the living human brain.

answer

magnetic resonance imaging

question

Which of the following structures can be visualized with the light microscope?

answer

nucleus

question

Which of the following is used to cut the brain into thin slices?

answer

microtome

question

A ________ is a thin slice of brain used in histology.

answer

section

question

Of the following, which term does not belong with the other four terms?

answer

electrical stimulation of the brain

question

Which of the following is the most common nerve tissue fixative?

answer

formalin.

question

Which of the following is true of stereotaxic surgery?

answer

The head-holder is designed to fix the skull in a rigid position.

question

A key disadvantage of the electrical stimulation technique is that

answer

the stimulation does not always duplicate natural neural processes.

question

A key advantage of the microdialysis technique is

answer

the ability to sample transmitter substances in an awake living organism.

question

The functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique is used to

answer

record the neural activity of particular brain regions.

question

Which of the following is an advantage of the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique?

answer

The fMRI scan has a higher resolution relative to the PET scan

question

Which of the following methods cannot reveal the metabolic activity of regions of the brain?

answer

injection of kainic acid

question

Which of the following techniques uses photographic emulsions to record the activity of discrete neurons.

answer

2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) autoradiography

question

Which of the following techniques uses the necessity of active neurons needing more fuel in order to identify neural activity?

answer

2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) autoradiography

question

What is the primary disadvantage of positron emission tomography (PET)?

answer

the operating cost of the scanner.

question

The key advantage of a reversible lesion is that

answer

each animal can serve as its own control.

question

Which of the following is used to display the changes in voltage recorded from the scalp over time?.

answer

polygraph

question

________ are produced by some white blood cells and act to destroy invading microorganisms in the body. Some white blood cells produce ______________ that destroy exogenous microorganisms in the body.

answer

antibodies

question

Study of the function of the living human brain in the past was difficult because

answer

researchers have to wait for the natural death of a brain-damaged human.

question

The ________ method can be used to identify the neural inputs to a brain region.

answer

retrograde labeling

question

The RNA, DNA, and associated proteins in cell bodies are collectively referred to as

answer

Nissl substance.

question

The three numbers listed on a page of a stereotaxic atlas refer to

answer

anterior-posterior, dorsal-ventral, and medal-lateral coordinates

question

Successive pages of a stereotaxic atlas refer to

answer

various distances relative to bregma.

question

A brain region that has been infected with a virus that contains the photoprotein NpHR will exhibit ________when illuminated with ________ light.

answer

neuronal inhibition; yellow

question

Neurons can be activated by

answer

chemical stimulation.

question

Why isn't microdialysis done in humans for research purposes?

answer

ethical problems because the procedure is invasive.

question

Imagine you are studying an animal model of myasthenia gravis, a disease in which acetylcholine transmission is disrupted, and wanted to determine if synaptic acetylcholine was reduced in this disease. Which of the following techniques would you be most useful for your study?

answer

immunocytochemistry aimed at choline acetyltransferase

question

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measures changes in ________to image metabolic activity.

answer

blood oxygen level

ANSWERS – Module 6: Methods and Strategies of Research – Flashcards

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