L8 Plasticity And Functional Recovery

Question 1

Define brain plasticity

Answer 1

Brain plasticity refers to the brain’s ability to change and adapt as a result of
experience. Plasticity allows the brain to cope better with the indirect effects
of brain damage, such as swelling or haemorrhage following a road accident, or
the damage resulting from inadequate blood supply following a stroke.

Question 2

What does Life experiences have to do with plasticity

Answer 2

Life Experience – Nerve pathways that are used frequently develop stronger
connections, those that are rarely used eventually die. By developing new
connections and reducing weak ones the brain is able to adapt to a changing
environment. However, there is also a decline in cognitive functioning with age
attributed to these changes. Boyke et al. (2008) taught 60 year olds a new skill
(juggling), this increased grey matter in the visual cortex.

Question 3

What does plasticity have to do with video games

Answer 3

Video Games – Kuhn et al. (2014) compared a control group to a group who had
been given video game training for at least 30 minutes a day for two months on
the game ‘Super Mario’. They found that playing video games caused a
significant increase in grey matter in the visual cortex, hippocampus, and
cerebellum. Playing video games results in new synaptic connections in brain
areas involved in spatial navigation, strategic planning, working memory and
motor performance

Question 4

What does meditation have to do with plasticity

Answer 4

Meditation – Davidson et al. (2004) compared eight practitioners of Tibetan
meditation with ten students who had no previous meditation experience. An
EEG picked up greater gamma wave activity in the monks, even before they
started meditating. Gamma waves coordinate neural activity.

Question 5

Evaluation of plasticity (Kepperman more neurons)

Answer 5

+ Kempermann et al. (1998) found far more new neurons in the brains of rats in
complex environments compared to those housed in basic cages. This increase in
neurons was most prominent in the hippocampus, which is involved in the
forming of new long-term memories and the ability to navigate.