Plasticity and functional recovery of the brain Flashcards
What is brain plasticity?
Refers to the brain’s ability to modify its own structure and function as a result of experience.
How do our brains change throughout our lives?
Infancy: growth in number of synaptic connections. Twice as many as adult brains. Rarely used synaptic connections deteriorate and frequently used strengthen.
What is the process of strengthening and weakening of synaptic transmissions known as?
Synaptic pruning.
How has recent research changed our understanding of synaptic pruning.
Neural connections can change or be formed at any time in life - not limited to childhood.
Who studied brain plasticity?
Maguire et al. (2000)
How did Maguire study brain plasticity?
MRI scanning on London taxi drivers to investigate grey matter density in regions of the brain.
What did Maguire find in her London taxi driver study?
Significantly more grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than the matched control group. Area of brain associated with spatial and navigational functioning. Positive correlation between amount of time on the job and structural development.
What did Maguire’s findings suggest about brain plasticity?
As they memorise the streets for ‘The Knowledge’ test, the structure of their brain changes - providing evidence for plasticity.
What is functional recovery?
Refers to the recovery of abilities and mental processes that have been compromised as a result of brain injury or disease.
Explain how the process of functional recovery takes place.
Soon after damage to an area of the brain, it reorganises/rewires itself by forming new synaptic connections close to the damage area. Healthy brain areas take over the functions of damaged/destroyed/missing ares.
Identify 4 mechanisms of functional recovery.
Axonal sprouting.
Using similar areas on opposite side of brain for compromised tasks.
Neuronal unmasking.
Stem cells.
Briefly explain how axonal sprouting carries out functional recovery.
Growth of new nerve endings which connect with other undamaged nerve cells (re)forming neural pathways.
How does neuronal unmasking help functional recovery?
Dormant synapses (neural activity in these areas previously not needed) become activated due to higher rate of neural input required by rest of undamaged brain. Spread of activation leads to new structure development.
How do stem cells help the brain recover after trauma?
Implanted unspecialised cells that can become nerve cells. Could: directly replace dead cells, ‘rescue’ injured cells, or form links with healthy brain areas (that now carry out the lost function).
(AO3 - plasticity) Outline a limitation of neural plasticity.
Potential maladaptive and negative behavioural consequences. Prolonged drug use - poorer cognitive functioning and risk of dementia due to neural changes. 60-80% amputees experience phantom limb syndrome due to re-wiring of somatosensory cortex.
