plasticity and functional recovery of brain Flashcards
what is placisticty
refers to brains ability to change. adapt based on experiences and new learning
how does plasticity
pruning and bridging.
what is pruning
where connections are lost due to lack of use
what is bridging
where connections are created due to use and new stimulus
Q: What happens to synaptic connections during infancy?
A: The brain develops new synaptic connections rapidly.
Q: What occurs as we age regarding synaptic connections?
A: Rarely used connections are deleted, and frequently used connections are strengthened.
Q: What is the process of deleting rarely used connections and strengthening frequently used ones called?
synaptic pruning
case study 1
Maguire et al -
study to measure grey matter in taxis drivers brains
by using MRI scans
found -
pos cor of size of posterior hippocampus and years of driving
part of brain = linked with development of spatial and navigational skills
what is functional recovery
example of brain plasticity
- when brain suffered from damage from trauma e.g stroke
- healthy brain areas = take over damage/functions of missing areas
- normally happens quickly after the trauma and then slows down several weeks later
what are the 3 ways fr can occur
axonal sprouting
reformation of blood vessels
recruitment of homologous brain areas
axonal sprouting
- growth of new nerve endings, connects with other undamaged cells to form new pathways
formation of blood vessels
blood vessels reformed , to ensure the brain functions in affected areas
recruitment of homologous (similar) brain areas
- opposite hemp performs specific tasks
strength , case study
p- case study support , Jodi miller
e- suffered rassmussen syndrome , causes bad seizures, treatment = hemispherectomoy , removed al of right hemp of brain
e- 10 days after surgery = able to leave hospital and live norma life, can speak understand language, be normal person
l- shows brains ability to reorganise and adapt to trauma
strength , animal studies
p- animal studies
e - hubel and wiesel , sewed one eye of kitten shut , measured brains cortical activity in response
e- area of visual cortex linked to eye = not inactive, started to process input from the open eye, shows brains ability to reorganise itself
l- evidence for neural plasticity = shows brain can adapt
stretch- ethical issues= lack of protection , + done on non humans , cautious when applying to humans
strength , practical applications
p- practical applications
e- helped development of neuro rehabilitation techniques
e- e.g therapies e.g movement therapy/ electrical brain stimulation , created to help reduce cognitive deficits in patients recovering from strokes/brain trauma
l- shows theory = valid , real world treatments
