Strong examples of examples of example of a nervous system lab report

Examples of example of a nervous system lab report you can model

When students ask for examples of examples of example of a nervous system lab report, they usually don’t want theory. They want to see what a solid, realistic report actually looks like for the labs they’re doing this semester. Below are several real-world style scenarios you can adapt, each focused on a different part of the nervous system.

The goal isn’t to copy the wording; it’s to understand how each section fits together: title, hypothesis, variables, data summary, and interpretation.

Example of a nerve conduction velocity lab report

This is one of the most common nervous system labs in anatomy and physiology courses.

Sample title
“Effects of Limb Temperature on Median Nerve Conduction Velocity in Healthy Adults”

Purpose
To investigate how peripheral temperature affects median nerve conduction velocity in the dominant arm.

Sample hypothesis
Cooling the forearm to 20 °F below baseline skin temperature will decrease median nerve conduction velocity compared to baseline and warmed conditions.

Methods snapshot
Students stimulate the median nerve at the wrist and elbow, record compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) using surface electrodes, and calculate conduction velocity from latency and distance. Conditions: baseline, cooled (ice pack), warmed (heating pad).

Data description (in words, not a table)
Most students report baseline conduction velocities around 55–60 m/s, with cooled conditions dropping to 40–45 m/s and warmed conditions slightly increasing to 60–65 m/s. Latency typically increases under cooling and decreases with warming.

Example results paragraph
“Median nerve conduction velocity decreased from a baseline mean of 57.3 ± 3.2 m/s to 43.9 ± 4.1 m/s under cooled conditions, representing a 23.4% reduction. Warming increased conduction velocity to 61.2 ± 2.7 m/s. A repeated-measures ANOVA indicated a statistically significant effect of temperature on conduction velocity (p < 0.01).”

Example discussion angle
You’d link your findings to the effect of temperature on ion channel kinetics and myelination, and possibly reference clinical nerve conduction studies used to diagnose peripheral neuropathies. For background, many students cite resources such as the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or NIH MedlinePlus.

This is a clean example of a nervous system lab report that shows how to connect a simple lab setup to real clinical testing.

Example of a reflex physiology lab report (patellar and withdrawal reflexes)

Another set of examples include classic spinal reflex labs.

Sample title
“Modulation of Patellar Tendon Reflex Amplitude by Jendrassik Maneuver in College Students”

Purpose
To examine how voluntary upper-body contraction (Jendrassik maneuver) alters the amplitude and latency of the patellar tendon reflex.

Sample hypothesis
Performing the Jendrassik maneuver will increase reflex amplitude and decrease latency compared with a relaxed condition.

Methods snapshot
Students tap the patellar tendon with a reflex hammer under two conditions: relaxed and during Jendrassik (clenched teeth, interlocked fingers pulling). Some labs record EMG activity from the quadriceps; others use a simple rating scale (0–4+).

Example results paragraph
“Mean reflex grade increased from 1.8 (relaxed) to 3.1 (Jendrassik). In participants with EMG recording, peak quadriceps activity increased by an average of 46%, while reflex latency showed minimal change (< 3 ms difference).”

Example discussion angle
A strong example of a nervous system lab report here explains that the Jendrassik maneuver likely reduces descending inhibition or increases alpha motor neuron excitability. You might connect this to clinical reflex grading and upper vs. lower motor neuron lesions, referencing resources like the Mayo Clinic’s overview of reflex testing for clinical relevance.

This is one of the best examples for showing students how to interpret small changes in latency and larger changes in amplitude.

Example of a sensory mapping and two-point discrimination lab report

Many anatomy labs include mapping sensory fields and measuring tactile acuity.

Sample title
“Regional Differences in Two-Point Discrimination Thresholds Across the Upper Limb”

Purpose
To compare tactile acuity on the fingertip, palm, and forearm using two-point discrimination testing.

Sample hypothesis
Two-point discrimination thresholds will be lowest (best acuity) on the fingertip, intermediate on the palm, and highest on the forearm.

Methods snapshot
Using calipers or a discrimination tool, students test the minimal distance at which two points are perceived as separate. They record thresholds for multiple trials per region.

Example results paragraph
“Average discrimination thresholds were 2.5 ± 0.7 mm at the fingertip, 8.9 ± 1.8 mm at the palm, and 34.2 ± 5.6 mm at the forearm. A within-subjects comparison showed all regional differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001).”

Example discussion angle
The best examples of example of a nervous system lab report in this area explain how receptor density and receptive field size relate to cortical representation in the somatosensory homunculus. Strong reports also mention that aging and neuropathies can alter these thresholds, connecting to broader topics covered by NIH’s neuroscience resources.

Here, your instructor will look for precise methods (how you randomized testing sites) and clear limitations (practice effects, subject bias).

Example of an EEG and brain waves lab report

Modern labs increasingly use low-cost EEG systems. These are great examples of examples of example of a nervous system lab report that integrate physiology with simple statistics.

Sample title
“Changes in Alpha and Beta EEG Power During Eyes-Closed Relaxation and Mental Arithmetic”

Purpose
To compare alpha (8–13 Hz) and beta (13–30 Hz) power over occipital and frontal regions during rest, eyes-closed relaxation, and mental arithmetic.

Sample hypothesis
Eyes-closed relaxation will increase occipital alpha power, while mental arithmetic will increase frontal beta power compared with baseline.

Methods snapshot
Students place electrodes at standard positions (e.g., O1, O2, F3, F4), record EEG in three conditions, and use built-in software to calculate band power.

Example results paragraph
“Occipital alpha power increased by an average of 63% during eyes-closed relaxation compared with baseline. During mental arithmetic, frontal beta power increased by 41%, while occipital alpha power decreased slightly below baseline.”

Example discussion angle
A strong example of a nervous system lab report here references the functional roles of alpha (idling/relaxation) and beta (active thinking), and acknowledges limitations of low-channel, high-noise student EEG systems. You might also comment on how EEG is used clinically for seizure detection, sleep studies, and brain death assessment.

Because EEG hardware and software have improved rapidly, instructors in 2024–2025 often expect at least basic spectral analysis and clear labeling of artifacts (eye blinks, muscle activity).

Example of a reaction time and processing speed lab report

Reaction time labs are simple to run but surprisingly rich for analysis.

Sample title
“Effects of Distraction and Stimulus Modality on Simple and Choice Reaction Time”

Purpose
To investigate how distraction (background music) and stimulus type (visual vs. auditory) affect reaction time in college students.

Sample hypothesis
Auditory stimuli will produce faster reaction times than visual stimuli, and distraction will increase reaction time in both modalities.

Methods snapshot
Students use computer-based reaction time tasks with visual and auditory cues, tested under quiet and music conditions. Some labs also compare simple vs. 2-choice tasks.

Example results paragraph
“Mean simple reaction time for auditory stimuli in a quiet environment was 215 ± 24 ms, compared with 241 ± 29 ms for visual stimuli. Background music increased mean reaction times by 18–27 ms across conditions. Choice reaction times were approximately 90–120 ms slower than simple reaction times in all conditions.”

Example discussion angle
The best examples include a short explanation of sensory transduction, afferent and efferent pathways, and central processing time. You can also connect your findings to driving safety, sports performance, and the impact of multitasking on reaction speed, referencing data from organizations such as the CDC on distracted driving.

This kind of example of a nervous system lab report shows how to interpret small millisecond-level differences in a way that still feels meaningful.

Example of autonomic nervous system lab report (heart rate & posture)

Autonomic labs are increasingly popular in 2024–2025 because they pair well with wearable sensors.

Sample title
“Autonomic Responses to Orthostatic Stress: Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Changes from Supine to Standing”

Purpose
To quantify heart rate and blood pressure changes when moving from lying to standing, and to infer autonomic regulation mechanisms.

Sample hypothesis
Standing will increase heart rate and trigger a compensatory increase in diastolic blood pressure compared with supine measurements.

Methods snapshot
Students measure heart rate and blood pressure after 5 minutes supine, immediately upon standing, and after 3 minutes standing. Some labs also track heart rate variability (HRV) with smartphone apps or chest straps.

Example results paragraph
“Heart rate increased from 68 ± 7 bpm (supine) to 96 ± 11 bpm immediately upon standing, then stabilized at 82 ± 8 bpm after 3 minutes. Systolic blood pressure showed a brief drop of 8–12 mmHg upon standing in most participants, followed by partial recovery.”

Example discussion angle
Strong reports explain the baroreceptor reflex, sympathetic activation, and parasympathetic withdrawal. They also mention conditions like orthostatic hypotension and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), which have gained more attention in recent years, especially in the context of post-viral syndromes.

This is one of the best examples of example of a nervous system lab report for showing how to connect simple vitals to detailed autonomic physiology.

Example of a neuroanatomy dissection or virtual lab report

Not every nervous system lab is instrument-heavy. Many courses require a written report after brain or spinal cord dissection, or after a virtual 3D neuroanatomy lab.

Sample title
“Identification of Major Brain Structures and Vascular Territories in a Virtual Human Brain Lab”

Purpose
To identify major cortical and subcortical structures, cranial nerves, and key arterial territories using a virtual neuroanatomy platform.

Sample hypothesis
This type of lab is often descriptive rather than hypothesis-driven, but students can still frame learning questions, such as: “Students will more accurately identify cortical than deep brain structures on first attempt.”

Methods snapshot
Students navigate a virtual brain model, labeling structures like the basal ganglia, thalamus, internal capsule, and circle of Willis. Some labs include lesion-mapping exercises.

Example results paragraph
“Mean identification accuracy was 92% for cortical gyri and sulci but only 71% for deep nuclei and white matter tracts. Students frequently confused the caudate nucleus with the thalamus and misidentified the anterior cerebral artery territory.”

Example discussion angle
The best examples of example of a nervous system lab report in neuroanatomy explain why certain structures are harder to identify, how 3D spatial relationships matter, and how these territories relate to real stroke syndromes. Many instructors encourage students to connect this to case descriptions from medical education sites such as Harvard Medical School’s neuroanatomy resources or similar .edu platforms.

How to use these examples of examples of example of a nervous system lab report

Seeing multiple examples of examples of example of a nervous system lab report is helpful only if you know how to adapt them. A few practical pointers:

• Treat each example of a nervous system lab report as a pattern, not a script. Keep the structure (clear purpose, focused hypothesis, specific methods), but write your own wording.
• Match the level of detail to your course. Intro anatomy labs may want more description and less statistics; upper-level physiology or neuroscience labs may expect full statistical reporting and citations.
• Pay attention to how the best examples interpret data. They don’t just restate numbers; they explain what those numbers say about the nervous system.
• Always adjust for your actual data. If your nerve conduction velocity didn’t change as expected, say so and analyze why. Instructors prefer honest analysis over forced confirmation.

If you’re ever unsure, compare your draft to several of the real examples above. Ask yourself: does my report have a clear question, a logical method, understandable results, and a discussion that ties back to nervous system function?

FAQ about nervous system lab reports and examples

How long should an example of a nervous system lab report be?
Most undergraduate nervous system lab reports run 4–8 double-spaced pages, including figures and references. Shorter labs (simple reflex tests) may be closer to 3–4 pages; EEG or multi-condition autonomic labs often run longer.

What sections do the best examples usually include?
The best examples usually include: a descriptive title, brief abstract (if required), introduction with a clear research question or hypothesis, methods detailed enough to repeat the experiment, results with summarized data, a discussion that interprets those data, and references to primary literature or reputable sources such as NIH or Mayo Clinic.

Where can I find more real examples of nervous system lab reports?
Many departments post anonymized student reports or templates on their .edu sites. Searching for “neurophysiology lab manual pdf” or “EEG lab report example” along with site:.edu often turns up high-quality examples. Your course LMS (Canvas, Blackboard, etc.) may also include sample reports from previous years.

How many references should I use in an example of a nervous system lab report?
For a typical undergraduate report, 3–8 references is common. Mix your course textbook with at least one or two primary or review articles, and reputable web sources (.gov, .edu, or major medical organizations like Mayo Clinic or WebMD) when appropriate.

Can I reuse text from online examples of nervous system lab reports?
No. Use online examples to understand structure and depth, but write your own text and interpret your own data. Copying language or invented data from examples is academic misconduct in most institutions.

By studying these varied examples of examples of example of a nervous system lab report—from nerve conduction to EEG to autonomic testing—you’ll have a realistic benchmark for what instructors expect in 2024–2025. Use them to shape your own work, and your next nervous system lab report will feel far more organized, accurate, and readable.