Plasticity and functional recovery Flashcards
(18 cards)
It was once believed that the brain could only develop and change during infancy but research has shown that…
the brain continues to develop and create new neural pathways and alter existing one
What is plasticity?
Plasticity is the brain’s ability to change and adapt it’s structures and processes as a consequence of experience and new learning
What is synaptic pruning?
This is where during infancy the brain experiences rapid growth in the number of synaptic connections
What happens to synaptic connections as we age?
Connections that are not used regularly are deleted and ones that are used regularly are strengthened
What does research suggest about neural connections?
Research suggests that neural connections can change any time in life or new neural connections can be formed between neurons as a result of learning and experience
What is functional recovery?
Functional recovery is a type of plasticity and refers to recovery of abilities and mental processes (such as movement or language) that have been affected as a result of brain damage or disease
How does the brain rewire itself in functional recovery?
The brain is able to rewire itself by forming new synaptic connections close to the damaged areas of the brain
Secondary neural pathways that would not typically be used to carry out certain functions are…
activated to enable functioning to continue, often in the same way as before
What structural changes can take place in the brain?
Axonal sprouting and the recruitment of homologous areas
What happens in axonal sprouting?
undamaged axons grow new nerve endings which reconnect the neurons where connections had been damaged
What is the recruitment of homologous areas?
Areas from the opposite side of the brain take over the function of the damaged area of the brain e.g if the broca’s area is damaged in the LH, the right sided equivelant would carry out its functions
What factors affect recovery after trauma?
Perseverance, age, gender, education, stress and alcohol
Why does perseverance affect recovery?
It requires a great deal of effort to recover from trauma and research shows that some people may appear to lose function
How does age affect functional recovery?
Younger people are more likely to recover from damage than older people. There is a deterioration in the brain in old age which affects speed and extent of recovery
How does gender affect functional recovery?
Some research suggests that females are more likely to recover from males
How does education affect functional recovery?
Schneider et al found that the more time people with a brain injury had spent in education the greater their chance of a disibility free recovery
40% of those who had achieved a disability free recovery had more than __ years in education
16
How does stress and alcohol affect functional recovery?
Alcohol and stress make it more difficult to recover
