Research Methods

1
Research Methods

• Experimental Ablation
• Behavioral measurements
• Histology
• Measurement of neural activity
• Neuroimaging
• Stimulation of neural activity
• Neurochemistry
• Genetics

2
Experimental Ablation

• Lesions
• Aspiration
• Electrolytic
• Neurotoxic
• Sham
• Temporary
• Anesthetic
• Cold

3
Stereotaxic surgery

• Stereotaxic apparatus
• Stereotaxic atlas
• Bregma

4
Behavioral Measurements

• Functional tests
• Motor function
• Sensory function
• Spatial learning
• Morris water maze
• Radial arm maze
• Other learning
• Fear conditioning
• Passive avoidance

5
Histological Methods

• Fixation
• Perfusion
• Slicing (Sectioning)
• Mounting
• Staining
• Electron microscopy

6
Tracing Connections

• Anterograde labeling
• Lectins
• PHA-L
• Radioactive amino acids
• Retrograde labeling
• Flourogold
• HRP

7
Measurement of Neural Activity

• Recording
• Microelectrodes
• Single-unit recording
• Macroelectrodes
• Electroencephalograms (EEGs)
• Metabolic activity
• Autoradiography
• Immediate early genes
• Secretions
• Microdialysis

8
Neuroimaging

• Computerized tomography (CT)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Positron emission tomography (PET)
• 2-deoxyglucose
• Functional MRI (fMRI)

9
Stimulating Neural Activity

• Electrical stimulation
• Stereotaxic surgery
• Electrical current
• Chemical stimulation
• Stereotaxic surgery
• Cannulas
• Injection of neurotransmitter
• Behavioral effects

10
Neurochemistry

• Localization of neurotransmitters
• Chemicals
• Enzymes
• immunocytochemistry
• mRNA
• in situ hybridization
• Localization of Receptors
• Immunocytochemistry
• Autoradiography

11
Genetics

• Twin studies
• Adoption studies
• Targeted mutations