Unit 1 AOS2 - DP3 Flashcards
Neuroplasticity
Refers to the nervous system’ ability to change its structure and function as a result of experience and in response to injury.
Neurons
-Receives, process and responds to information.
-A cell that conducts electro-chemical signals.
Basic parts of neurons:
-Dendrites
-Soma
-Axons
-Axon terminals
-Myelin
Myelin
white, fatty substance that coats and insulates the axon from the activity of other nearby axon.
Neurons wrapped in myelin….
communicate their messages must faster than unmyelinated neurons.
Myelination
white fatty substance starting to surround the axons of the neuron.
Brain injury
any brain damage that impairs, or interferes with normal functioning of the brain, either temporarily or permanently.
brain injury can have insidious onset…
when it gradually develops over a period of time showing few signs and symptoms e.g. prolonged use of alcohol (or another substance), tumor, neurodegenerative disease.
Brain injury can have sudden onset…
when it occurs abruptly, often at a single point in time e.g. blow to the head, infection, stroke, drug overdose.
ABI
Result of injury that causes some form of dysfunction (abnormal behavior that negatively impacts their ability to carry out normal daily activities.)
Causes of ABI
Causes: stroke, trauma, substance abuse, infection, degenerative neurological diseases
How long does ABI last?
Can be temporary or permanent, partial or total
Stroke
When a blood vessel brining oxygen and nutrients to the brain burst or is clogged by a blood clot. Results in brain tissue in deprived of blood, causing the brain cells to die within minutes, affecting mental processes or behavior controlled by those cells such as thinking, speech and movement.
Developmental Plasticity (everyone)
Refers to the ability of the brain to change in response to experience.
New neural pathways can…
form and link up with existing pathways and existing pathways cam interconnect with other pathways.
neurogenesis
cells divide and multiply
Neural immigration
where neurons travel to their final location within the nervous system.
neural maturation
Formation of pathways between neurons
Synaptogenesis
refers to a process where our brains overproduce neurons and synaptic connections.
Synaptic Pruning
Removing extra, weak or unused synaptic connections. It removes unnecessary connection to make itself even more efficient.
Adaptive Plasticity (injury)
The ability of the brain to compensate for lost function and/or maximize remaining functions in the event of brain injury.
what depends on the effectiveness in response to injury in adaptive plasticity
depends on the location, degree and extent of the damage and the age at which the injury is sustained.
When is adaptive plasticity quicker and more sustainable
in the earlier years particularly in infancy and early childhood when learning.
Rerouting
An undamaged neuron that has lost connection with an active neuron may seek a new active neuron and connect with it instead.
