Biopsychology – Is a new study that has been developing over the past 50 years. It is close to the fundamental science psychology, but biopsychology directly studies how can we increase the speed of studying by means of stimulating brain nerves. The ones who study this course take a close look at how the behavior of an individual changes due to specific areas of brain being damaged as well as the influence of alcohol and drugs on brain.
Different methods for research are implemented. For example special methods to visualize the living brain: Contrast X-rays, MRI, Magnetoencephalography, Positron Emission Tomography, Computerized Tomography and others. There are different software and hardware equipment for recording human psychophysiological activity: LabChart software as well as ECG Analysis module provide specific data extraction for displaying events in blood pressure, displays electrocardiogram data and others.
Furthermore, there are specific methods for research that involves surgery. As an example Invasive method. Basically this procedure involves removing parts of the brain and stimulating brain with electrodes. However, such experiments have been performed only on animals due to the aesthetical concerns, but surgery on brains are commonly practiced with the aim to help the patients.
Another interesting branch of this science is biochemical pharmacology. This study investigates the mechanism of how drugs influence the brain and the organism, by certain experiments on animals, cells, molecules.
Genetic Engineering is interconnected with all the studies mentioned previously. It refers to the set of techniques that are used to change the genetic characteristics of a cell in order to create a new organism.
Speaking of the Neurophysiological Evaluation it is a special testing mode for the doctor to obtain data about cognitive, behavioral, and linguistic functionality. Behavioral methods of cognitive neuroscience studies emotional behavior of humans and other species.
Biopsychological paradigms of animal behavior occurs due to the alternations in the biological and psychological processes, as a result – abnormal behavior is observed.
Overall, Biopsychology is an interesting science, that studies human brain’s activity. With the help of other close related sciences scholars get more data that is helpful in medical sphere.
References
Research Fields in Pharmacology. (n.d.). Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Toronto. Retrieved June 15, 2013, from http://www.pharmtox.utoronto.ca/research/overview/fields.htm
features, p. d. (n.d.). Psychophysiology Studies | ADInstruments. ADInstruments. Retrieved June 15, 2013, from http://www.adinstruments.com/solutions/research/applications/psychophysiology-studies#software
