MRI and Brain Function Study

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Questions and Answers

What is neural pruning?

The strengthening of frequently used neural pathways

An increase in the number of synapses

The removal of dendritic branches leading to decreased synapses (correct)

A process that only occurs during childhood

What were the independent and dependent variables in Draganski's study?

Independent variable: age of participants; Dependent variable: skill level

Independent variable: brain size; Dependent variable: cognitive performance

Independent variable: control group; Dependent variable: MRI scan duration

Independent variable: learning a juggling routine; Dependent variable: changes in brain structure (correct)

What region of the brain showed increased grey matter in jugglers compared to non-jugglers?

Mid-temporal area (correct)

Occipital lobe

Cerebellum

Frontal lobe

What happened to the grey matter in jugglers after they stopped practicing juggling for three months?

It decreased in density Signup and view all the answers

How many MRI scans did each participant undergo in Draganski's study?

Three Signup and view all the answers

What is a common cause of neural pruning?

Hormonal changes such as increased cortisol levels Signup and view all the answers

Why is random allocation important in Draganski's study?

It eliminates bias in group assignments. Signup and view all the answers

What technique did researchers use to measure changes in the brain structure?

Voxel-based morphometry Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using MRI in the study of the brain?

To create static images of the brain's structure Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'pruning' refer to in the context of Dragansky's study?

The reduction of grey matter after learning ceases Signup and view all the answers

Which brain structure is primarily involved in visual memory according to the localization theory?

Medial temporal lobes Signup and view all the answers

What behavioral response was studied in Dragansky's research?

Motor skill learning Signup and view all the answers

What is neuroplasticity?

The process of adapting to environmental changes Signup and view all the answers

What neural mechanism leads to the increase in synapses during neuroplasticity?

Long-term potentiation Signup and view all the answers

Which group in the Dragansky study underwent MRI scans multiple times?

Only the jugglers Signup and view all the answers

How does localization of function manifest in the study conducted by Dragansky?

Specific brain areas are activated for specific skills learned Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

MRI & Brain Imaging

MRI uses strong magnetic fields to align the spins of protons in hydrogen atoms in the brain, creating a static image.
By capturing many snapshots, MRI can create 2D slices or 3D models of the brain.
The structure of the brain can be studied via MRI, allowing for comparisons of grey matter density before and after learning.

Localization of Brain Function

Specific brain areas have functions associated with specific behaviors.
Although certain areas have specialized functions, they collaborate with other regions to produce complex behaviors.
The medial temporal lobe plays a role in visual memory.

Dragansky's Juggling Study

This study investigated brain changes after learning a motor skill (juggling).
24 non-juggler volunteers were divided into jugglers (learned juggling) and non-jugglers (control).
Jugglers had MRI scans at the start, after mastering juggling, and three months later.
Non-jugglers had scans only at the beginning and the end.

Results of Dragansky's Study

Learning juggling induced structural changes in the brain, particularly in areas related to the learned skill.
Changes were localized in the medial temporal lobe (MTL), suggesting this area's role in visual memory processing.
Findings support the idea of localized brain function, despite the likely activation of other brain areas during learning.

Neuroplasticity & Brain Changes

The brain adapts to environmental changes through neuroplasticity.
One way it changes is through the creation of neural networks, facilitated by long-term potentiation and the repeated firing of neurons.
This increases dendritic branching and the number of synapses.
Another change is neural pruning, reducing the number of synapses through dendritic branch removal.
Pruning is caused by neuron cell death, hormones like cortisol, or the lack of use of a neural pathway.

Dragansky's Study & Neural Pruning

This study showed that unused neural pathways can be pruned.
Participants in the juggling group showed an increase in grey matter in the mid-temporal area associated with visual memory after learning juggling.
Three months after stopping juggling, grey matter in these areas decreased, indicating pruning.

Biological Approach & Experimentation

Psychologists in the biological approach use experiments to understand the brain-behavior relationship.
Experiments manipulate an independent variable (IV) to observe its effect on the dependent variable (DV) while controlling other factors.
In Dragansky's juggling study, the IV was learning juggling, and the DV was brain changes measured using MRI.
Participants were randomly assigned to juggling and control groups.

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of MRI and its applications in brain imaging. This quiz delves into how MRI captures brain structure and function, and discusses the findings of Dragansky's juggling study, highlighting changes in brain activity from learning new skills. Test your knowledge on the relationship between brain regions and behavior.