New innovations in imaging technology have enabled significant advantages which are far better than an autopsy. Thus, imaging brings a better understanding of relationships between the brain structure and functions of memory and speech, and the existence of disorders such as depression, stroke, and schizophrenia can be identified. Imaging also allows specialists to trace and treat brain tumors, epilepsy, and other disorders with accuracy. In fact, the present imaging techniques enable us to watch the brain as it works in different processes.
Imaging also allows specialists to differentiate between the working of brains of different people with different psychological levels. In comparison, recording is less spectacular than imaging in just allowing researchers to record magnetic and electrical outputs from the brain. The recording proves to be very significant in the case of neurons which can generate small electrical charges that transverse their membranes just as mini batteries do. Although minuscule, such electrical activities can be recorded with the use of electrodes that are placed on the outside of the skull or inside the brain tissue. Stimulation relates to the localization of functions in the nervous system and brain.
Artificial stimulation of the given areas results in certain behavioral patterns but the results must be interpreted with caution since the structure of the brain is strongly connected with other areas in the brain and stimulation can affect them all at the same time. Lesion refers to injuries to the neural tissue and can occur naturally or could be deliberately inflicted. Just as it was with stimulation, analysis based on lesions enables one to access the possible functions of given areas. Pre and post-lesion behavioral patterns can be observed and compared in coming to conclusions about the resultant changes being attached to the occurrence of the lesion. One must be careful in the process since lesions can damage nerve fibers and other areas of the brain.