2) Biopsychology - Plasticity and Functional Recovery Flashcards
What is plasticity?
The brain’s tendency to change and adapt as a result of experience and new learning
What is functional recovery?
- A form of plasticity
- Occurs after trauma
- Is the brain’s ability to transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area to other undamaged areas.
Who researched plasticity in London taxi drivers?
Eleanor Maguire et al
What did Elanor Maguire et al find out about plasticity?
- Found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
- Important as the hippocampus is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills.
- They took a test which also assessed their recall of the city streets and routes.
- A positive correlation was found between how long they had the job and the structural difference of their brain.
What happens during functional recovery?
The brain rewires and reorganise itself to form new synaptic connections near the area of damage.
What is the posterior hippocampus associated with?
The development of spatial and navigational skills.
Give a strength for the practical application of plasticity
P - There is practical application to the understanding of plasticity.
E - This can be seen in neurorehabilitation.
After brain damage occurs, spontaneous recovery slows down greatly so physical therapy may be required to improve functions.
E - Techniques include movement therapy and electrical stimulation to counter any function deficits.
L - This shows that although the brain has the capacity to fix itself, intervention is required for it to be effective which would not have been known without plasticity research.
Explain the negative plasticity evaluation point
P - Plasticity can have negative effects.
E - This can be seen in 60-80% of amputees who have phantom limb syndrome, this is when they have sensation in the missing limb as if it was still there.
E - This is a negative of plasticity as these sensation are unpleasant and painful.
