Functional recovery

Question 1

What is functional recovery?

Answer 1

Healthy brain areas may take over the functions of those areas that are damaged, destroyed or even missing

Question 2

What is spontaneous recovery in this context?

Answer 2

Process of functional recovery can occur quickly after trauma and then slow down after several weeks or months

Question 3

What happens in the brain during recovery?

Answer 3

Brain can rewire and reorganise itself forming new synaptic connections close to the area of damage
Secondary neural pathways (not typically used to carry out certain functions) are activated or unmasked to enable functioning to continue
Often as same way as before

Question 4

What is axonal sprouting?

Answer 4

Growth of new nerve endings which connect with out undamaged nerve cells to form new neuronal pathways

Question 5

What is denervation super sensitivity?

Answer 5

Occurs when axons that do a similar job become aroused to a higher level to compensate for the ones that are lost
Can have the negative consequence of oversensitivity to messages such as pain

Question 6

What is recruitment of homologous (similar) areas on opposite side of the brain?

Answer 6

Specific tasks can still be performed
Eg. If Brocas area was damaged on left side of the brain
Right sided equivalent would carry out its functions
After a while functionality may then shift back to the left

Question 7

What is a strength of functional recovery?

Answer 7

Real world application
Understanding of plasticity - contributed to neurorehabilitation
Understanding axonal growth is possible - encourages therapies to be tried
Eg. Constraint therapy
Showing research into functional recovery is useful - helps medical professionals know when interventions need to be made

Question 8

What is a limitation of functional recovery?

Answer 8

Level of education may influence recovery rates
Schneider et al
More time people with a brain injury had spent in education
Indication of ‘cognitive reserve’
Greater their chances of a disability free recovery
40% who achieved DFR - more than 16 yrs of education
10% who hadn’t - less than 12 years
Implying people with brain damage who have insufficient DFR are less likely to achieve full recovery