This course will introduce students to key issues in brain imaging, namely: mechanisms of generation of EEG-MEG signals, topographical distribution, relation between evoked magnetic fields and electric potentials, relationship to cognition; physical basics of Magnetic Resonance imaging (anatomical images, gradients, RF); basics of functional MRI - blood oxygenation contrast (BOLD, neurophysiological basis, neuronal responses, local field potentials, etc); basics of fMRI experimental design (block design, event related design, adaptation); recent advances in recording and analysing EEG and fMRI signals simultaneously; application of brain imaging to clinical cases; recent advances in understanding the brain-behaviour relationship by non-invasive transcranial brain stimulation

Weekly two-hour lectures

None

One piece of coursework (100%, 3000 words). Either a critical review on brain imaging methods with a topic to be chosen from a list of questions set by the course team, or a critical evaluation on the means of adapting a research project, or published research, in order to be addressed in a different imaging technique than originally performed.

■ To expose students to aspects of current neuroimaging research techniques, designs and application.

■ To provide students with knowledge of the application and implementation of a range of brain imaging methods and experimental paradigms.

■ To give students the knowledge and skills required to critically discuss which approaches are most appropriate for given research questions and applications.

■ To give students knowledge of the principal theories and concepts underpinning various neuroimaging techniques and designs.

■ To help students develop a critical awareness of current issues in neuroimaging, nueropsychology, neuroscience, and related areas.

Students will be able to:

■ Critically discuss and synthesise knowledge of advanced methods of neuroimaging in Psychology and Neuroscience

■ Critically evaluate the application of advanced neuroimaging methods in answering research questions in Psychology and Neuroscience

■ Critically compare and evaluate advanced neuroimaging methods used in Psychology and Neuroscience in terms of improving analyses and inferences.