PSYC 462 Lecture 6: PSYC 462 Lecture Notes 23rd Jan 2018
Document Summary
Psyc 462 lecture notes taken on 23rd jan 2018. To understand the neurochemical basis of behavior, mood and cognitive function. Important to get numerical data on changes in the above aspects. Use animal models to manipulate brain functions. Advantages to using animals are i) having rigorous control of living conditions and ii) knowing the history of genetic background of animals. Use rats as model systems for studying human executive functions. Continuum of research between animal models and humans. An assay is a way of measuring something which can be a behavioral test. Different from tests in that there is a sort of physiological alteration that resembles what we observe in disease(s), e. g. knockouts of certain gene protein, early life traumatic experience, etc. A pharmacological model is one in which a certain drug is given. Aspiration is not used as much nowadays. Excitotoxic kills neurons but not axons passing through the region.
