Plasticity Flashcards

1
Q

Neural plasticity is…

A

The brains ability to alter it’s synaptic connections as a result of experience i.e learning.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Synaptic pruning

A

The deletion of rarely used connections and frequently used connections are strengthened

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

maguire et al’s study (2000)

A

Studied brains of London cab drivers,
More grey matter in posterior hippocampus
Area associated with development of spacial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
Positive correlation between size of posterior hippocampi and time as a taxi driver.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Limitation of Maguire’s study

A

Correlation isn’t causatiob

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Functional recovery is

A

Plasticity specifically related to recovery from brain injury
undamaged areas compensate by taking over the functions of the damaged areas.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Spontaneous recovery is

A

Rapid recovery after trauma. Slows after time so the individual may need rehabilitative therapy.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Draganski’s study (2006)

A

Scanned brains of medicak students 3 months before and after their exams. Changes in posterior hippocampus and parietal cortex.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Advantage of Draganski’s study

A

Each participant acted as their own control so cleared causation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Structural changes in the brain after trauma

A

The brains ability to rewire itself by forming new synaptic connections close to the area of damage.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

3 types of structural changes after trauma

A
  1. axonal sprouting
  2. reformation of blood vessels
  3. recruitment of homologous areas.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Axonal sprouting

A

growth of new nerve endings which connect with undamaged nerve cells to form new neural pathways.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Recruitment of homologous series

A

Where the homologous area of the brain which is on the opposite side is used to perform the affected function e.g Jodie Millar.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Practical applications of plasticity

A

Contributed to neurorehabilitation
Contribution of physical therapy after spontaneous recovery has slowed down.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Age and plasticity

A

Functional plasticity reduces with age however Bezzola found 40h of gold training changes neural representation of movement in participants aged 40-60. Reduced motor cortex found

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Negative plasticity- strength

A

Brains ability to rewire shown by phantom limb syndrome. due to coritical reorganisation in the somatosensory cortex

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Animal studies supporting plasticity

A

Hubel and Weisel sewed one eye of a kitten shit and analysed the visual cortex’s response. Still respinsed to information from the open eye suggesting cortical reorganisation must have occured.