# Explain why studying the brain to understand diseases such as Alzheimer's is difficult.

> Eduqas A-Level Biology — 4.6 The nervous system · Explain · 5 marks

> Scientists use techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the brain. However, there are many challenges involved in researching the brain and finding cures for brain diseases.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. There are billions of neurones in the brain, making it complex to study
2. The brain must still be working / the patient must be alive to study many brain functions
3. There are ethical issues — patients with brain damage may not be able to give informed consent
4. Studies are only carried out after damage has occurred, so the brain cannot be compared to the patient's healthy brain
5. Brain damage rarely causes a single problem, so it is difficult to match a specific problem to specific damaged neurones / area

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