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VCE psychology 1/2 > 1.2 brain plasticity and injury (c5) > Flashcards

1.2 brain plasticity and injury (c5) Flashcards

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1
Q

define neuroplasticity

A

the ability of the brain and other parts of the nervous system to change in response to experience

used specifically to brain’s ability to change sometimes

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2
Q

what are synapses

A

the site where adjacent neurones communicate by transmitting neural signals to one another

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3
Q

why are individual neurones and their connections modified

A

for diff reasons
example: during brain development when young, learning, using drugs, response to brain injury

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4
Q

can new neural pathways form and link w existing pathways?

A

yes

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5
Q

can existing pathways interconnect with other pathways?

A

yes

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6
Q

define synaptic plasticity

A

the ability of the synapse to change in response to experience

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7
Q

what does synaptic plasticity involve

A

strengthening or weakening of connections between the neurones at a synapse

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8
Q

how does strengthening occur

A

through continual use of synaptic connections or through growth of new, additional connections

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9
Q

how does weakening occur

A

through disuse of synaptic connections resulting in decay or elimination of a synapse

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10
Q

how does the brain reorganise and reassign its neural connections and pathways

A

through synaptic plasticity, reassigns and reorganises neural connections and pathways based on which parts of it are overused and underused

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11
Q

what is experience-expectant plasticity

A

involves brain change in response to environmental experience that is ordinarily expected

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12
Q

what is experience-dependent plasticity

A

involves brain change that modifies some part its neuronal structure that is already present

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13
Q

what is functional/adaptive plasticity

A

neuroplasticity in response to brain injury
brain can recover from or compensate for lost function and/or to maximise remaining functions in the event of brain injury

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14
Q

why is functional/adaptive plasticity called that

A

to distinguish it from the plasticity primarily associated w the developing brain

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15
Q

what are the 3 types of change in the brain

A

generation of new networks
reassignment of function
neurogenesis

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16
Q

generation of new networks?

A

neuronal connections and networks that have been disrupted by injury may change by forming new connections

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17
Q

reassignment of function?

A

functions that were performed by certain areas of the brain can sometimes be reassigned to other undamaged areas of the brain to compensate for changing input from the enviro

either a pt or all of a function previously performed by the injured area may be transferred

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18
Q

what is neurogenesis

A

the production/birth of new neurons

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19
Q

what is sprouting

A

the creation of new extensions on a neuron to allow it to make new connections with other neurones

occurs thru growth of nerve endings (sprouts) on axons or dendrites, thereby enabling new links to be made, including the rerouting of existing connections

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20
Q

what is rerouting

A

new connections made between neurones to create alternate neural pathways

may involve new or old synaptic connections

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21
Q

what is pruning

A

the elimination of weak, ineffective or unused synapses

experience determines which synapses will be retained and strengthened and which will be pruned

way of fine-tuning brain’s neural circuits to maintain efficient brain functioning

also enables neurones to restore or compensate for lost function following a brain injury and/or to maximise remaining functions

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22
Q

what are the 4 levels of the severity of brain injuries

A
  1. Mild
  2. Moderate
  3. Severe
  4. Very severe
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23
Q

symptoms of mild brain injury

A

good recover, limited concentration, able to return to work

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24
Q

symptoms of moderate brain injury

A

improvement over time, difficulties w coordinating movements, inability to organise, may require diff line of work

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25
Q

symptoms of severe brain injury

A

decreased movement control
decreased ability to communicate
requires daily living support
unable to return to work

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26
Q

symptoms of very severe brain injury

A

unable to control movement
unable to communicate
requires 24 hour support
unable to return to work

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27
Q

define brain injury

A

brain damage that impairs or interferes w the normal functioning of the brain, either temporarily or permanently

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28
Q

why is the term acquired brain injury used

A

used to differentiate brain injury from neurodevelopmental disorders (such as autism)

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29
Q

define traumatic brain injury

A

type of acquired brain injury that occurs when an external force causes damage to brain

can result from blow to head, head forced to rapidly move, or when object enters brain tissue

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30
Q

what are some biological changes due to frontal lobe injury

A

range of problems w motor activites

example: less facial expressions, reappearance of reflexes from infancy (ex. grasping reflex of hand)

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31
Q

what are some psychological changes due to frontal lobe injury

A

impact on emotion, personality, cognition -> impacts behaviour

example: apathy, verbal/physical aggressiveness

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32
Q

what are some social changes due to frontal lobe injury

A

breakdown in personal relationships, loss of social support

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33
Q

define aphasia

A

language disorder that results from acquired brain injury to an area responsible for language production or processing

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34
Q

primary signs of aphasia?

A

difficulty in expressing oneself when speaking
trouble understanding speech
difficulty w reading and writing

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35
Q

what are the 3 types of aphasia?

A

fluent aphasia
nonfluent aphasia
pure aphasia

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36
Q

what is fluent aphasia

A

speech easily produced and flows freely but sentences don’t make sense and the person often has difficulties understanding what is heard or read

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37
Q

what is nonfluent aphasia

A

difficulties in speaking clearly, often in short sentences w words omitted
speech is effortful and includes only key words necessary for communication but no difficulties understanding what is heard or read

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38
Q

what is pure aphasia

A

specific impairments in reading (alexia), writing (agraphia) or recognising spoken words despite being able to hear them (word deafness)

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39
Q

define neurological disorders

A

nervous system disorders
may involve any part of nervous system

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40
Q

is epilepsy a single condition

A

no there are many diff types

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41
Q

what is the main symptom of epilepsy

A

repeated seizures

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42
Q

3 common symptoms in epilepsy?

A

onset of an aura
loss of consciousness- can range from complete loss to staring blankly into space // often accompanied by amnesia
movement- abnormal movements after onset of seizure

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43
Q

what is onset of an aura

A

an unusual subjective sensation, perceptual experience (ex. unusual smells/tastes), motor experience (tingling in arms or legs) that precedes and marks the onset of an epileptic seizure

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44
Q

what are some causes of epilepsy

A

traumatic brain injury
lack of oxygen to the brain for a long period (e.g. due to stroke, cardiac arrest, drowning)
brain infection (e.g. meningitis)
brain abnormality at birth
brain tumour
neurodegenerative disease (e.g. Alzheimer’s)
genetic factors (e.g. genetic conditions w associated brain malformations)

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45
Q

does everyone have seizure triggers

A

no some ppl have seizures triggered by certain events but others dont

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46
Q

common seizure triggers:

A

missed medication
sleep deprivation
stress
infection/illness
hormonal changes
dehydration
low blood sugar
alchohol
drugs
use of certain medications
bright lights

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47
Q

define concussion

A

type of traumatic brain injury caused by blow to head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly

disrupted neuronal activity, sometimes stretches/damages brain tissue and cells

48
Q

common sports that cause concussions

A

boxing, AFL football, rugby, horse riding, cycling, skiing, trail bike riding

49
Q

what are concussions categorised as

A

mild bc they are usually not life-threatening

50
Q

can effects of a concussion be serious

A

yes its more likely when a person has a previous history of concussion(s)

51
Q

what does CTE stand for

A

chronic traumatic encephalopathy

52
Q

what is CTE

A

a progressive brain degeneration

53
Q

what causes CTE

A

repeated blows to the head and repeated episodes of concussion

54
Q

is CTE fatal

A

yes

55
Q

is CTE rare

A

yes so it is not yet well understood

56
Q

when was CTE first diagnosed

A

in the early 2000s by an American dr during an autopsy of the brain of a former profession NFL player

57
Q

how common is CTE

A

theres still debate

58
Q

why is there still debate about CTE

A

they still dk and the Australian Sports Brain Bank started identifying CTE in explayers of high contact sports (e.g. AFL, rugby) a few years ago

59
Q

what are some symptoms of CTE

A

it varies and its similar to other degenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
typical symptoms are
- loss of memory
- mood changes
- personality changes
- difficulty controlling impulsive or erratic behaviour
- increased confusion, disorientation
- difficulty thinking (e.g. difficulty making decisions, impaired judgements)
- motor impairments (e.g. tremor, slow movements, balance difficulties, slurred speech)

60
Q

can symptoms of CTE progress

A

yes its typically mild at first but it progresses over time to become more severe

61
Q

when are symptoms of CTE often experienced

A

may not be experienced until years of decades after brain injury occurs

62
Q

how do u diagnose someone with CTE

A

no medical or psychological test to diagnose CTE in living person
changes to brain dont always show up on brain scans

63
Q

why are assessments are undertaken when CTE is suspected

A

taken to rule out other possible causes

64
Q

how is CTE properly diagnosed

A

autopsy-

brain areas may have gradually wasted away (atrophy)
abnormal build up of tau (protein that interferes w the functioning of neurones- strongly associated with Alzheimers)

other recognition still limited and diagnosis is still difficult and unclear

65
Q

how is CTE treated

A

using supportive treatments like other neurodegenerative diseases
no treatment for CTE itself, but we can treat symptoms- e.g. medication for depression

66
Q

can you have CTE without brain injuries

A

yes

67
Q

whats the number or types of head impacts that increase risk for CTE

A

no one knows some people w repeated head trauma never gets CTE

68
Q

does genetics affect risk for CTE

A

not really no one knows “its not adequately accounted for in the research evidence”

69
Q

what is epilepsy?

A

a neurological disorder involving recurrent, spontaneous seizures brought on by interference in normal brain activity

70
Q

why is epilepsy classified as a neurological disorder?

A

because it is a disease of a nervous system and involves recurring abnormal brain seizures

71
Q

why can epilepsy be described as a spectrum disorder

A

there are different epilepsies with different causes and seizure types that vary in severity and impact on individuals in different ways

72
Q

Define the meaning of epileptic seizure

A

A sudden burst/surge of electrical activity in the brain that disrupts normal neuronal activity and causes involuntary changes in a person’s movement, behaviour, level of awareness and/or feelings.

73
Q

characteristics of epileptic seizures

A

triggered by bursts of electrical activity in the brain that disrupt normal neuronal activity and cause involuntary changes depending on the affected brain area

start somewhere in the brain
point of origin may be known (e.g. focal, generalised) or unknown

many different types

not due to a health condition not associated with epilepsy

may be provoked or unprovoked/have or not have triggers

repeated/recurrent i.e. at least two unprovoked seizures

variable in duration

may stop without intervention

specific types are primarily classified according to point of origin, awareness and whether they involve movement.

74
Q

define focal seizure

A

Originate in one brain area in one hemisphere (a ‘focal point’) and affect the part of the body controlled by that brain area

75
Q

define generalised seizure

A

Originate in both brain hemispheres simultaneously and therefore tend to involve the whole body

76
Q

define seizures with unknown onset

A

Neither focal or generalised as onset of seizure is not known

77
Q

characteristics of a focal seizure

A

may affect a small area in one of the lobes or a large part of one hemisphere

usually last for less than 2 minutes

may spread to both hemispheres (and become a focal to bilateral seizure).

78
Q

characteristics of a generalised seizure

A

there is no focal onset

many different subtypes

almost always affect awareness and loss of consciousness is common.

79
Q

why are some epilepsy cases classified as seizures with unknown onset

A

classification may be due to insufficient information for a diagnosis to be made or the symptoms of the seizure are unusual

80
Q

what determines the behaviour changes that may occur during a seizure

A

reactions depend on the type of seizure and the area of the brain being affected.

81
Q

What do all known causes of epilepsy have in common?

A

All disrupt the neuronal activity somewhere in the brain (more than once) in a way that results in epileptic seizures.

82
Q

What is the most common treatment for epilepsy?

A

anti-epileptic medication

83
Q

what is the difference between brain injuries with suden or insidious onsets

A

sudden onset: occurs abruptly often a single point in time

insidious onset: gradual development over a period of time in an imperceptible way showing few signs or symptoms

84
Q

an example of brain injury with sudden onset

A

e.g. due to a blow to the head, infection, stroke or drug overdose

85
Q

an example of brain injury with insidious onset

A

e.g. due to prolonged use of alcohol or another substance, a tumour or a neurodegenerative disease

86
Q

where does Broca’s aphasia affect

A

broca’s area

87
Q

which hemisphere does Broca’s aphasia affect?

A

left

88
Q

which lobe does Broca’s aphasia affect

A

front

89
Q

what is the main language of communication difficulty of Broca’s aphasia?

A

speech production

90
Q

are individuals with Broca’s aphasia aware of their difficulties

A

usually yes

91
Q

where does Wernicke’s aphasia affect

A

wernicke’s area

92
Q

which hemisphere does Wernicke’s aphasia affect

A

left

93
Q

which lobe does Wernicke’s aphasia affect

A

temporal

94
Q

what is the main language or communication difficulty of Wernicke’s aphasia

A

speech comprehension and meaningful production

95
Q

are individuals with Wernicke’s aphasia aware of their difficulties

A

usually no, but if they do its very little

96
Q

what happens when the primary motor cortex of the left hemisphere is damaged

A

impairment of voluntary movements on the right side of the body (e.g. limbs)

97
Q

what happens when the prefrontal cortex is damaged

A

impaired higher order mental functions e.g. decision making, planning, change in personality e.g. as per Phineas Gage

98
Q

what happens when the parietal lobe of the right hemisphere is damaged

A

impaired spatial abilities

99
Q

what happens when the auditory cortex is damaged

A

impaired hearing

100
Q

what happens when the medulla is damaged

A

impaired vital survival functions

101
Q

what happens when the substantia nigra is damaged

A

voluntary movement impairments like those of Parkinson’s disease (due to loss of dopamine producing neurons in the substantia nigra)

102
Q

what happens when the RAS is damaged

A

impair consciousness, possibly even coma

103
Q

factors that may influence the brain injury that occurs due to a stroke.

A

the individual e.g. brain health/condition, general health condition, personal circumstances, prior stroke

type of stroke

location of the blocked or burst artery
the brain area that was damaged

extent of damage/how much brain tissue is damaged

severity of damage/how badly brain tissue is damaged.

104
Q

what does FAST stand for (how to quickly identify the most common signs that someone is having a stroke)

A

Face Check their face. Has their mouth drooped or face fallen on one side? Ask: Can you smile?

Arms Can they lift both arms? Ask: Can you raise your arms for me?

Speech Is their speech slurred? Can you say ‘Hello’ and tell me your name?

Time Is critical and there may be a need to urgently call an ambulance. One of these signs indicates the person could be having a stroke. If you see any of the signs, call 000 straight away.

105
Q

What is the technical term for a mini-stroke?

A

transient ischaemic attack

106
Q

Distinguish between ischaemic and haemorrhagic strokes.

A

Ischaemic strokes are caused by blood clots that block blood flow to the brain:

haemorrhagic strokes are caused by bleeding in or around the brain.

107
Q

Construct a definition for stroke that includes a reference to brain injury or damage.

A

brain injury due to blockage of blood flow to the brain or due to the rupture of vessels that supply blood

108
Q

symptoms of stroke

A

numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body

speech disturbance, such as slurring or decreased speech fluency or comprehension

trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or lack of coordination

trouble seeing in one or both eyes

headache, usually severe with no known cause

difficulty swallowing

nausea or vomiting.

109
Q

how are strokes diagnosed

A

by carrying out a physical examination, checking results of blood tests and studying neuroimages

110
Q

what does a physical examination for diagnosing a stroke emcompass

A

by carrying out a physical examination - (heart rate, blood pressure and other symptoms)

111
Q

what is the purpose of checking blood tests for a stroke

A

used to assess blood clotting, blood sugar level and the presence of infection)

112
Q

what is the purpose of studying neuroimages to diagnose a stroke

A

to evaluate the type of stroke, the brain area affected and the severity of the injury.)

113
Q

overall purpose of the diagnosing process of strokes (other than to diagnose the stroke)

A

to ensure the symptoms are definitely due to a stroke and not another possible cause.

114
Q

is there a medical treatment that will repair brain damage caused by a stroke

A

no

115
Q

what is recovery from a stroke dependent on

A

stroke rehab therapy and activities

116
Q

why is the timing of stroke rehab important

A

the sooner it begins, the greater are the chances to recover lost skills and function

VCE psychology 1/2 (15 decks)

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