6.5: Plasticity and functional recovery of the brain after trauma Flashcards
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks)
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks).
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain.
Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks).
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain.
Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
What does this show?
This shows that the brain can permanently change in response to frequent exposure to a particular task
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks).
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain.
Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
This shows that the brain can permanently change in response to frequent exposure to a particular task.
A similar finding was observed by Draganski et al, who imaged the brains of medical students 3 months before and after their final exams.
Learning induced changes were seen to have occurred in the posterior hippocampus and the parietal cortex, presumably as a result of the exams
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks).
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain.
Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
This shows that the brain can permanently change in response to frequent exposure to a particular task.
A similar finding was observed by Draganski et al, who imaged the brains of medical students 3 months before and after their final exams.
Learning induced changes were seen to have occurred in the posterior hippocampus and the parietal cortex, presumably as a result of the exams.
What does this show?
This shows that plasticity can occur as a result of learning
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks).
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain.
Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
This shows that the brain can permanently change in response to frequent exposure to a particular task.
A similar finding was observed by Draganski et al, who imaged the brains of medical students 3 months before and after their final exams.
Learning induced changes were seen to have occurred in the posterior hippocampus and the parietal cortex, presumably as a result of the exams.
This shows that plasticity can occur as a result of learning.
Functional recovery is a form of plasticity and it is the brain’s ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area(s) to other, undamaged area(s), following damage through trauma
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks).
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain.
Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
This shows that the brain can permanently change in response to frequent exposure to a particular task.
A similar finding was observed by Draganski et al, who imaged the brains of medical students 3 months before and after their final exams.
Learning induced changes were seen to have occurred in the posterior hippocampus and the parietal cortex, presumably as a result of the exams.
This shows that plasticity can occur as a result of learning.
Functional recovery is a form of plasticity and it is the brain’s ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area(s) to other, undamaged area(s), following damage through trauma.
First AO3 PEEL paragraph
The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain is the most plastic during infancy, since neural connections are the most plastic then
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks).
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain.
Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
This shows that the brain can permanently change in response to frequent exposure to a particular task.
A similar finding was observed by Draganski et al, who imaged the brains of medical students 3 months before and after their final exams.
Learning induced changes were seen to have occurred in the posterior hippocampus and the parietal cortex, presumably as a result of the exams.
This shows that plasticity can occur as a result of learning.
Functional recovery is a form of plasticity and it is the brain’s ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area(s) to other, undamaged area(s), following damage through trauma.
The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain is the most plastic during infancy, since neural connections are the most plastic then.
This is illustrated by Danielli et al’s case of EB.
EB had an operation when he was 2 and a half years old, where virtually all of his left hemisphere was removed.
Despite this, a follow-up of EB when he was aged 17 compared his language abilities with normal controls and it was found that his right hemisphere had compensated for his left hemisphere and he was functioning well linguistically
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks).
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain.
Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
This shows that the brain can permanently change in response to frequent exposure to a particular task.
A similar finding was observed by Draganski et al, who imaged the brains of medical students 3 months before and after their final exams.
Learning induced changes were seen to have occurred in the posterior hippocampus and the parietal cortex, presumably as a result of the exams.
This shows that plasticity can occur as a result of learning.
Functional recovery is a form of plasticity and it is the brain’s ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area(s) to other, undamaged area(s), following damage through trauma.
The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain is the most plastic during infancy, since neural connections are the most plastic then.
This is illustrated by Danielli et al’s case of EB.
EB had an operation when he was 2 and a half years old, where virtually all of his left hemisphere was removed.
Despite this, a follow-up of EB when he was aged 17 compared his language abilities with normal controls and it was found that his right hemisphere had compensated for his left hemisphere and he was functioning well linguistically.
Scans of EB’s brain showed that his brain activity was practically identical to normal controls, showing functional recovery, as EB was able to cortically remap his missing hemisphere
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks).
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain.
Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
This shows that the brain can permanently change in response to frequent exposure to a particular task.
A similar finding was observed by Draganski et al, who imaged the brains of medical students 3 months before and after their final exams.
Learning induced changes were seen to have occurred in the posterior hippocampus and the parietal cortex, presumably as a result of the exams.
This shows that plasticity can occur as a result of learning.
Functional recovery is a form of plasticity and it is the brain’s ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area(s) to other, undamaged area(s), following damage through trauma.
The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain is the most plastic during infancy, since neural connections are the most plastic then.
This is illustrated by Danielli et al’s case of EB.
EB had an operation when he was 2 and a half years old, where virtually all of his left hemisphere was removed.
Despite this, a follow-up of EB when he was aged 17 compared his language abilities with normal controls and it was found that his right hemisphere had compensated for his left hemisphere and he was functioning well linguistically.
Scans of EB’s brain showed that his brain activity was practically identical to normal controls, showing functional recovery, as EB was able to cortically remap his missing hemisphere.
What does this show?
This shows that if you’re young enough, the brain can alter significantly
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks).
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain.
Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
This shows that the brain can permanently change in response to frequent exposure to a particular task.
A similar finding was observed by Draganski et al, who imaged the brains of medical students 3 months before and after their final exams.
Learning induced changes were seen to have occurred in the posterior hippocampus and the parietal cortex, presumably as a result of the exams.
This shows that plasticity can occur as a result of learning.
Functional recovery is a form of plasticity and it is the brain’s ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area(s) to other, undamaged area(s), following damage through trauma.
The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain is the most plastic during infancy, since neural connections are the most plastic then.
This is illustrated by Danielli et al’s case of EB.
EB had an operation when he was 2 and a half years old, where virtually all of his left hemisphere was removed.
Despite this, a follow-up of EB when he was aged 17 compared his language abilities with normal controls and it was found that his right hemisphere had compensated for his left hemisphere and he was functioning well linguistically.
Scans of EB’s brain showed that his brain activity was practically identical to normal controls, showing functional recovery, as EB was able to cortically remap his missing hemisphere.
This shows that if you’re young enough, the brain can alter significantly.
Second AO3 PEEL paragraph
The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, plasticity can occur at any age
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks).
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain.
Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
This shows that the brain can permanently change in response to frequent exposure to a particular task.
A similar finding was observed by Draganski et al, who imaged the brains of medical students 3 months before and after their final exams.
Learning induced changes were seen to have occurred in the posterior hippocampus and the parietal cortex, presumably as a result of the exams.
This shows that plasticity can occur as a result of learning.
Functional recovery is a form of plasticity and it is the brain’s ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area(s) to other, undamaged area(s), following damage through trauma.
The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain is the most plastic during infancy, since neural connections are the most plastic then.
This is illustrated by Danielli et al’s case of EB.
EB had an operation when he was 2 and a half years old, where virtually all of his left hemisphere was removed.
Despite this, a follow-up of EB when he was aged 17 compared his language abilities with normal controls and it was found that his right hemisphere had compensated for his left hemisphere and he was functioning well linguistically.
Scans of EB’s brain showed that his brain activity was practically identical to normal controls, showing functional recovery, as EB was able to cortically remap his missing hemisphere.
This shows that if you’re young enough, the brain can alter significantly.
The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, plasticity can occur at any age.
How is this shown?
This is shown by Boyke et al, who found that in 60 year olds taught a new skill of juggling, they had an increase in grey matter in their visual cortex, but the changes were reversed when they stopped practising
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks).
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain.
Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
This shows that the brain can permanently change in response to frequent exposure to a particular task.
A similar finding was observed by Draganski et al, who imaged the brains of medical students 3 months before and after their final exams.
Learning induced changes were seen to have occurred in the posterior hippocampus and the parietal cortex, presumably as a result of the exams.
This shows that plasticity can occur as a result of learning.
Functional recovery is a form of plasticity and it is the brain’s ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area(s) to other, undamaged area(s), following damage through trauma.
The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain is the most plastic during infancy, since neural connections are the most plastic then.
This is illustrated by Danielli et al’s case of EB.
EB had an operation when he was 2 and a half years old, where virtually all of his left hemisphere was removed.
Despite this, a follow-up of EB when he was aged 17 compared his language abilities with normal controls and it was found that his right hemisphere had compensated for his left hemisphere and he was functioning well linguistically.
Scans of EB’s brain showed that his brain activity was practically identical to normal controls, showing functional recovery, as EB was able to cortically remap his missing hemisphere.
This shows that if you’re young enough, the brain can alter significantly.
The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, plasticity can occur at any age.
This is shown by Boyke et al, who found that in 60 year olds taught a new skill of juggling, they had an increase in grey matter in their visual cortex, but the changes were reversed when they stopped practising.
As well as this,
As well as this, Bezzola et al. demonstrated how 40 hours of golf training produced changes in the neural representation of movement in participants who were aged 40 - 60 years old
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks).
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain.
Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
This shows that the brain can permanently change in response to frequent exposure to a particular task.
A similar finding was observed by Draganski et al, who imaged the brains of medical students 3 months before and after their final exams.
Learning induced changes were seen to have occurred in the posterior hippocampus and the parietal cortex, presumably as a result of the exams.
This shows that plasticity can occur as a result of learning.
Functional recovery is a form of plasticity and it is the brain’s ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area(s) to other, undamaged area(s), following damage through trauma.
The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain is the most plastic during infancy, since neural connections are the most plastic then.
This is illustrated by Danielli et al’s case of EB.
EB had an operation when he was 2 and a half years old, where virtually all of his left hemisphere was removed.
Despite this, a follow-up of EB when he was aged 17 compared his language abilities with normal controls and it was found that his right hemisphere had compensated for his left hemisphere and he was functioning well linguistically.
Scans of EB’s brain showed that his brain activity was practically identical to normal controls, showing functional recovery, as EB was able to cortically remap his missing hemisphere.
This shows that if you’re young enough, the brain can alter significantly.
The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, plasticity can occur at any age.
This is shown by Boyke et al, who found that in 60 year olds taught a new skill of juggling, they had an increase in grey matter in their visual cortex, but the changes were reversed when they stopped practising.
As well as this, Bezzola et al. demonstrated how 40 hours of golf training produced changes in the neural representation of movement in participants who were aged 40 - 60 years old.
Why does this matter?
This matters because it shows that neural plasticity does continue throughout the lifespan
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks).
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain.
Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
This shows that the brain can permanently change in response to frequent exposure to a particular task.
A similar finding was observed by Draganski et al, who imaged the brains of medical students 3 months before and after their final exams.
Learning induced changes were seen to have occurred in the posterior hippocampus and the parietal cortex, presumably as a result of the exams.
This shows that plasticity can occur as a result of learning.
Functional recovery is a form of plasticity and it is the brain’s ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area(s) to other, undamaged area(s), following damage through trauma.
The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain is the most plastic during infancy, since neural connections are the most plastic then.
This is illustrated by Danielli et al’s case of EB.
EB had an operation when he was 2 and a half years old, where virtually all of his left hemisphere was removed.
Despite this, a follow-up of EB when he was aged 17 compared his language abilities with normal controls and it was found that his right hemisphere had compensated for his left hemisphere and he was functioning well linguistically.
Scans of EB’s brain showed that his brain activity was practically identical to normal controls, showing functional recovery, as EB was able to cortically remap his missing hemisphere.
This shows that if you’re young enough, the brain can alter significantly.
The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, plasticity can occur at any age.
This is shown by Boyke et al, who found that in 60 year olds taught a new skill of juggling, they had an increase in grey matter in their visual cortex, but the changes were reversed when they stopped practising.
As well as this, Bezzola et al. demonstrated how 40 hours of golf training produced changes in the neural representation of movement in participants who were aged 40 - 60 years old.
This matters because it shows that neural plasticity does continue throughout the lifespan.
Third AO3 PEEL paragraph
The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that a person’s educational attainment influences how well the brain functionally adapts after injury
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks).
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain.
Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
This shows that the brain can permanently change in response to frequent exposure to a particular task.
A similar finding was observed by Draganski et al, who imaged the brains of medical students 3 months before and after their final exams.
Learning induced changes were seen to have occurred in the posterior hippocampus and the parietal cortex, presumably as a result of the exams.
This shows that plasticity can occur as a result of learning.
Functional recovery is a form of plasticity and it is the brain’s ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area(s) to other, undamaged area(s), following damage through trauma.
The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain is the most plastic during infancy, since neural connections are the most plastic then.
This is illustrated by Danielli et al’s case of EB.
EB had an operation when he was 2 and a half years old, where virtually all of his left hemisphere was removed.
Despite this, a follow-up of EB when he was aged 17 compared his language abilities with normal controls and it was found that his right hemisphere had compensated for his left hemisphere and he was functioning well linguistically.
Scans of EB’s brain showed that his brain activity was practically identical to normal controls, showing functional recovery, as EB was able to cortically remap his missing hemisphere.
This shows that if you’re young enough, the brain can alter significantly.
The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, plasticity can occur at any age.
This is shown by Boyke et al, who found that in 60 year olds taught a new skill of juggling, they had an increase in grey matter in their visual cortex, but the changes were reversed when they stopped practising.
As well as this, Bezzola et al. demonstrated how 40 hours of golf training produced changes in the neural representation of movement in participants who were aged 40 - 60 years old.
This matters because it shows that neural plasticity does continue throughout the lifespan.
The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that a person’s educational attainment influences how well the brain functionally adapts after injury.
Example
For example, Schneider et al. (2014) found that the more time brain injury patients had spent in education, which was taken as an indication of their ‘cognitive reserve,’ the greater their chances of a disability-free recovery (DFR).
2/5 of patients studied who achieved DFR had more than 16 years of education, compared to about 10% of patients who had less than 12 years of education
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks).
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain.
Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
This shows that the brain can permanently change in response to frequent exposure to a particular task.
A similar finding was observed by Draganski et al, who imaged the brains of medical students 3 months before and after their final exams.
Learning induced changes were seen to have occurred in the posterior hippocampus and the parietal cortex, presumably as a result of the exams.
This shows that plasticity can occur as a result of learning.
Functional recovery is a form of plasticity and it is the brain’s ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area(s) to other, undamaged area(s), following damage through trauma.
The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain is the most plastic during infancy, since neural connections are the most plastic then.
This is illustrated by Danielli et al’s case of EB.
EB had an operation when he was 2 and a half years old, where virtually all of his left hemisphere was removed.
Despite this, a follow-up of EB when he was aged 17 compared his language abilities with normal controls and it was found that his right hemisphere had compensated for his left hemisphere and he was functioning well linguistically.
Scans of EB’s brain showed that his brain activity was practically identical to normal controls, showing functional recovery, as EB was able to cortically remap his missing hemisphere.
This shows that if you’re young enough, the brain can alter significantly.
The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, plasticity can occur at any age.
This is shown by Boyke et al, who found that in 60 year olds taught a new skill of juggling, they had an increase in grey matter in their visual cortex, but the changes were reversed when they stopped practising.
As well as this, Bezzola et al. demonstrated how 40 hours of golf training produced changes in the neural representation of movement in participants who were aged 40 - 60 years old.
This matters because it shows that neural plasticity does continue throughout the lifespan.
The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that a person’s educational attainment influences how well the brain functionally adapts after injury.
For example, Schneider et al. (2014) found that the more time brain injury patients had spent in education, which was taken as an indication of their ‘cognitive reserve,’ the greater their chances of a disability-free recovery (DFR).
2/5 of patients studied who achieved DFR had more than 16 years of education, compared to about 10% of patients who had less than 12 years of education.
What does this show?
This shows that a person’s cognitive reserve is linked to neural adaptation during recovery from brain injury, as education has a physical impact on recovery
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks).
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain.
Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
This shows that the brain can permanently change in response to frequent exposure to a particular task.
A similar finding was observed by Draganski et al, who imaged the brains of medical students 3 months before and after their final exams.
Learning induced changes were seen to have occurred in the posterior hippocampus and the parietal cortex, presumably as a result of the exams.
This shows that plasticity can occur as a result of learning.
Functional recovery is a form of plasticity and it is the brain’s ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area(s) to other, undamaged area(s), following damage through trauma.
The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain is the most plastic during infancy, since neural connections are the most plastic then.
This is illustrated by Danielli et al’s case of EB.
EB had an operation when he was 2 and a half years old, where virtually all of his left hemisphere was removed.
Despite this, a follow-up of EB when he was aged 17 compared his language abilities with normal controls and it was found that his right hemisphere had compensated for his left hemisphere and he was functioning well linguistically.
Scans of EB’s brain showed that his brain activity was practically identical to normal controls, showing functional recovery, as EB was able to cortically remap his missing hemisphere.
This shows that if you’re young enough, the brain can alter significantly.
The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, plasticity can occur at any age.
This is shown by Boyke et al, who found that in 60 year olds taught a new skill of juggling, they had an increase in grey matter in their visual cortex, but the changes were reversed when they stopped practising.
As well as this, Bezzola et al. demonstrated how 40 hours of golf training produced changes in the neural representation of movement in participants who were aged 40 - 60 years old.
This matters because it shows that neural plasticity does continue throughout the lifespan.
The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that a person’s educational attainment influences how well the brain functionally adapts after injury.
For example, Schneider et al. (2014) found that the more time brain injury patients had spent in education, which was taken as an indication of their ‘cognitive reserve,’ the greater their chances of a disability-free recovery (DFR).
2/5 of patients studied who achieved DFR had more than 16 years of education, compared to about 10% of patients who had less than 12 years of education.
This shows that a person’s cognitive reserve is linked to neural adaptation during recovery from brain injury, as education has a physical impact on recovery.
Fourth AO3 PEEL paragraph
The fourth AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain’s ability to rewire itself can sometimes have maladaptive behavioural consequences
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks).
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain.
Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
This shows that the brain can permanently change in response to frequent exposure to a particular task.
A similar finding was observed by Draganski et al, who imaged the brains of medical students 3 months before and after their final exams.
Learning induced changes were seen to have occurred in the posterior hippocampus and the parietal cortex, presumably as a result of the exams.
This shows that plasticity can occur as a result of learning.
Functional recovery is a form of plasticity and it is the brain’s ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area(s) to other, undamaged area(s), following damage through trauma.
The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain is the most plastic during infancy, since neural connections are the most plastic then.
This is illustrated by Danielli et al’s case of EB.
EB had an operation when he was 2 and a half years old, where virtually all of his left hemisphere was removed.
Despite this, a follow-up of EB when he was aged 17 compared his language abilities with normal controls and it was found that his right hemisphere had compensated for his left hemisphere and he was functioning well linguistically.
Scans of EB’s brain showed that his brain activity was practically identical to normal controls, showing functional recovery, as EB was able to cortically remap his missing hemisphere.
This shows that if you’re young enough, the brain can alter significantly.
The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, plasticity can occur at any age.
This is shown by Boyke et al, who found that in 60 year olds taught a new skill of juggling, they had an increase in grey matter in their visual cortex, but the changes were reversed when they stopped practising.
As well as this, Bezzola et al. demonstrated how 40 hours of golf training produced changes in the neural representation of movement in participants who were aged 40 - 60 years old.
This matters because it shows that neural plasticity does continue throughout the lifespan.
The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that a person’s educational attainment influences how well the brain functionally adapts after injury.
For example, Schneider et al. (2014) found that the more time brain injury patients had spent in education, which was taken as an indication of their ‘cognitive reserve,’ the greater their chances of a disability-free recovery (DFR).
2/5 of patients studied who achieved DFR had more than 16 years of education, compared to about 10% of patients who had less than 12 years of education.
This shows that a person’s cognitive reserve is linked to neural adaptation during recovery from brain injury, as education has a physical impact on recovery.
The fourth AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain’s ability to rewire itself can sometimes have maladaptive behavioural consequences.
Example
For example, Medina et al. found that prolonged drug use has been shown to result in poorer cognitive functioning, as well as an increased risk of dementia later in life
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks).
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain.
Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
This shows that the brain can permanently change in response to frequent exposure to a particular task.
A similar finding was observed by Draganski et al, who imaged the brains of medical students 3 months before and after their final exams.
Learning induced changes were seen to have occurred in the posterior hippocampus and the parietal cortex, presumably as a result of the exams.
This shows that plasticity can occur as a result of learning.
Functional recovery is a form of plasticity and it is the brain’s ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area(s) to other, undamaged area(s), following damage through trauma.
The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain is the most plastic during infancy, since neural connections are the most plastic then.
This is illustrated by Danielli et al’s case of EB.
EB had an operation when he was 2 and a half years old, where virtually all of his left hemisphere was removed.
Despite this, a follow-up of EB when he was aged 17 compared his language abilities with normal controls and it was found that his right hemisphere had compensated for his left hemisphere and he was functioning well linguistically.
Scans of EB’s brain showed that his brain activity was practically identical to normal controls, showing functional recovery, as EB was able to cortically remap his missing hemisphere.
This shows that if you’re young enough, the brain can alter significantly.
The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, plasticity can occur at any age.
This is shown by Boyke et al, who found that in 60 year olds taught a new skill of juggling, they had an increase in grey matter in their visual cortex, but the changes were reversed when they stopped practising.
As well as this, Bezzola et al. demonstrated how 40 hours of golf training produced changes in the neural representation of movement in participants who were aged 40 - 60 years old.
This matters because it shows that neural plasticity does continue throughout the lifespan.
The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that a person’s educational attainment influences how well the brain functionally adapts after injury.
For example, Schneider et al. (2014) found that the more time brain injury patients had spent in education, which was taken as an indication of their ‘cognitive reserve,’ the greater their chances of a disability-free recovery (DFR).
2/5 of patients studied who achieved DFR had more than 16 years of education, compared to about 10% of patients who had less than 12 years of education.
This shows that a person’s cognitive reserve is linked to neural adaptation during recovery from brain injury, as education has a physical impact on recovery.
The fourth AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain’s ability to rewire itself can sometimes have maladaptive behavioural consequences.
For example, Medina et al. found that prolonged drug use has been shown to result in poorer cognitive functioning, as well as an increased risk of dementia later in life.
Why is this?
This is because the brain remaps itself in response to the drug use
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks).
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain.
Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
This shows that the brain can permanently change in response to frequent exposure to a particular task.
A similar finding was observed by Draganski et al, who imaged the brains of medical students 3 months before and after their final exams.
Learning induced changes were seen to have occurred in the posterior hippocampus and the parietal cortex, presumably as a result of the exams.
This shows that plasticity can occur as a result of learning.
Functional recovery is a form of plasticity and it is the brain’s ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area(s) to other, undamaged area(s), following damage through trauma.
The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain is the most plastic during infancy, since neural connections are the most plastic then.
This is illustrated by Danielli et al’s case of EB.
EB had an operation when he was 2 and a half years old, where virtually all of his left hemisphere was removed.
Despite this, a follow-up of EB when he was aged 17 compared his language abilities with normal controls and it was found that his right hemisphere had compensated for his left hemisphere and he was functioning well linguistically.
Scans of EB’s brain showed that his brain activity was practically identical to normal controls, showing functional recovery, as EB was able to cortically remap his missing hemisphere.
This shows that if you’re young enough, the brain can alter significantly.
The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, plasticity can occur at any age.
This is shown by Boyke et al, who found that in 60 year olds taught a new skill of juggling, they had an increase in grey matter in their visual cortex, but the changes were reversed when they stopped practising.
As well as this, Bezzola et al. demonstrated how 40 hours of golf training produced changes in the neural representation of movement in participants who were aged 40 - 60 years old.
This matters because it shows that neural plasticity does continue throughout the lifespan.
The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that a person’s educational attainment influences how well the brain functionally adapts after injury.
For example, Schneider et al. (2014) found that the more time brain injury patients had spent in education, which was taken as an indication of their ‘cognitive reserve,’ the greater their chances of a disability-free recovery (DFR).
2/5 of patients studied who achieved DFR had more than 16 years of education, compared to about 10% of patients who had less than 12 years of education.
This shows that a person’s cognitive reserve is linked to neural adaptation during recovery from brain injury, as education has a physical impact on recovery.
The fourth AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain’s ability to rewire itself can sometimes have maladaptive behavioural consequences.
For example, Medina et al. found that prolonged drug use has been shown to result in poorer cognitive functioning, as well as an increased risk of dementia later in life.
This is because the brain remaps itself in response to the drug use.
As well as this,
As well as this, Ramachandran and Hirstein found that 60 to 80% of amputees have been known to develop phantom limb syndrome - the continued experience of sensations in the missing limb as if it is still there.
These sensations are usually unpleasant, painful and are thought to be due to cortical reorganisation in the somatosensory cortex that occurs as a result of limb loss
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks).
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain.
Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
This shows that the brain can permanently change in response to frequent exposure to a particular task.
A similar finding was observed by Draganski et al, who imaged the brains of medical students 3 months before and after their final exams.
Learning induced changes were seen to have occurred in the posterior hippocampus and the parietal cortex, presumably as a result of the exams.
This shows that plasticity can occur as a result of learning.
Functional recovery is a form of plasticity and it is the brain’s ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area(s) to other, undamaged area(s), following damage through trauma.
The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain is the most plastic during infancy, since neural connections are the most plastic then.
This is illustrated by Danielli et al’s case of EB.
EB had an operation when he was 2 and a half years old, where virtually all of his left hemisphere was removed.
Despite this, a follow-up of EB when he was aged 17 compared his language abilities with normal controls and it was found that his right hemisphere had compensated for his left hemisphere and he was functioning well linguistically.
Scans of EB’s brain showed that his brain activity was practically identical to normal controls, showing functional recovery, as EB was able to cortically remap his missing hemisphere.
This shows that if you’re young enough, the brain can alter significantly.
The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, plasticity can occur at any age.
This is shown by Boyke et al, who found that in 60 year olds taught a new skill of juggling, they had an increase in grey matter in their visual cortex, but the changes were reversed when they stopped practising.
As well as this, Bezzola et al. demonstrated how 40 hours of golf training produced changes in the neural representation of movement in participants who were aged 40 - 60 years old.
This matters because it shows that neural plasticity does continue throughout the lifespan.
The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that a person’s educational attainment influences how well the brain functionally adapts after injury.
For example, Schneider et al. (2014) found that the more time brain injury patients had spent in education, which was taken as an indication of their ‘cognitive reserve,’ the greater their chances of a disability-free recovery (DFR).
2/5 of patients studied who achieved DFR had more than 16 years of education, compared to about 10% of patients who had less than 12 years of education.
This shows that a person’s cognitive reserve is linked to neural adaptation during recovery from brain injury, as education has a physical impact on recovery.
The fourth AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain’s ability to rewire itself can sometimes have maladaptive behavioural consequences.
For example, Medina et al. found that prolonged drug use has been shown to result in poorer cognitive functioning, as well as an increased risk of dementia later in life.
This is because the brain remaps itself in response to the drug use.
As well as this, Ramachandran and Hirstein found that 60 to 80% of amputees have been known to develop phantom limb syndrome - the continued experience of sensations in the missing limb as if it is still there.
These sensations are usually unpleasant, painful and are thought to be due to cortical reorganisation in the somatosensory cortex that occurs as a result of limb loss.
Why does this matter?
This matters because it shows that plasticity isn’t always positive
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks).
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain.
Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
This shows that the brain can permanently change in response to frequent exposure to a particular task.
A similar finding was observed by Draganski et al, who imaged the brains of medical students 3 months before and after their final exams.
Learning induced changes were seen to have occurred in the posterior hippocampus and the parietal cortex, presumably as a result of the exams.
This shows that plasticity can occur as a result of learning.
Functional recovery is a form of plasticity and it is the brain’s ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area(s) to other, undamaged area(s), following damage through trauma.
The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain is the most plastic during infancy, since neural connections are the most plastic then.
This is illustrated by Danielli et al’s case of EB.
EB had an operation when he was 2 and a half years old, where virtually all of his left hemisphere was removed.
Despite this, a follow-up of EB when he was aged 17 compared his language abilities with normal controls and it was found that his right hemisphere had compensated for his left hemisphere and he was functioning well linguistically.
Scans of EB’s brain showed that his brain activity was practically identical to normal controls, showing functional recovery, as EB was able to cortically remap his missing hemisphere.
This shows that if you’re young enough, the brain can alter significantly.
The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, plasticity can occur at any age.
This is shown by Boyke et al, who found that in 60 year olds taught a new skill of juggling, they had an increase in grey matter in their visual cortex, but the changes were reversed when they stopped practising.
As well as this, Bezzola et al. demonstrated how 40 hours of golf training produced changes in the neural representation of movement in participants who were aged 40 - 60 years old.
This matters because it shows that neural plasticity does continue throughout the lifespan.
The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that a person’s educational attainment influences how well the brain functionally adapts after injury.
For example, Schneider et al. (2014) found that the more time brain injury patients had spent in education, which was taken as an indication of their ‘cognitive reserve,’ the greater their chances of a disability-free recovery (DFR).
2/5 of patients studied who achieved DFR had more than 16 years of education, compared to about 10% of patients who had less than 12 years of education.
This shows that a person’s cognitive reserve is linked to neural adaptation during recovery from brain injury, as education has a physical impact on recovery.
The fourth AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain’s ability to rewire itself can sometimes have maladaptive behavioural consequences.
For example, Medina et al. found that prolonged drug use has been shown to result in poorer cognitive functioning, as well as an increased risk of dementia later in life.
This is because the brain remaps itself in response to the drug use.
As well as this, Ramachandran and Hirstein found that 60 to 80% of amputees have been known to develop phantom limb syndrome - the continued experience of sensations in the missing limb as if it is still there.
These sensations are usually unpleasant, painful and are thought to be due to cortical reorganisation in the somatosensory cortex that occurs as a result of limb loss.
This matters because it shows that plasticity isn’t always positive.
Fifth AO3 PEEL paragraph
The fifth AO3 PEEL paragraph is that research into plasticity has real world application
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks).
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain.
Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
This shows that the brain can permanently change in response to frequent exposure to a particular task.
A similar finding was observed by Draganski et al, who imaged the brains of medical students 3 months before and after their final exams.
Learning induced changes were seen to have occurred in the posterior hippocampus and the parietal cortex, presumably as a result of the exams.
This shows that plasticity can occur as a result of learning.
Functional recovery is a form of plasticity and it is the brain’s ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area(s) to other, undamaged area(s), following damage through trauma.
The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain is the most plastic during infancy, since neural connections are the most plastic then.
This is illustrated by Danielli et al’s case of EB.
EB had an operation when he was 2 and a half years old, where virtually all of his left hemisphere was removed.
Despite this, a follow-up of EB when he was aged 17 compared his language abilities with normal controls and it was found that his right hemisphere had compensated for his left hemisphere and he was functioning well linguistically.
Scans of EB’s brain showed that his brain activity was practically identical to normal controls, showing functional recovery, as EB was able to cortically remap his missing hemisphere.
This shows that if you’re young enough, the brain can alter significantly.
The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, plasticity can occur at any age.
This is shown by Boyke et al, who found that in 60 year olds taught a new skill of juggling, they had an increase in grey matter in their visual cortex, but the changes were reversed when they stopped practising.
As well as this, Bezzola et al. demonstrated how 40 hours of golf training produced changes in the neural representation of movement in participants who were aged 40 - 60 years old.
This matters because it shows that neural plasticity does continue throughout the lifespan.
The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that a person’s educational attainment influences how well the brain functionally adapts after injury.
For example, Schneider et al. (2014) found that the more time brain injury patients had spent in education, which was taken as an indication of their ‘cognitive reserve,’ the greater their chances of a disability-free recovery (DFR).
2/5 of patients studied who achieved DFR had more than 16 years of education, compared to about 10% of patients who had less than 12 years of education.
This shows that a person’s cognitive reserve is linked to neural adaptation during recovery from brain injury, as education has a physical impact on recovery.
The fourth AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain’s ability to rewire itself can sometimes have maladaptive behavioural consequences.
For example, Medina et al. found that prolonged drug use has been shown to result in poorer cognitive functioning, as well as an increased risk of dementia later in life.
This is because the brain remaps itself in response to the drug use.
As well as this, Ramachandran and Hirstein found that 60 to 80% of amputees have been known to develop phantom limb syndrome - the continued experience of sensations in the missing limb as if it is still there.
These sensations are usually unpleasant, painful and are thought to be due to cortical reorganisation in the somatosensory cortex that occurs as a result of limb loss.
This matters because it shows that plasticity isn’t always positive.
The fifth AO3 PEEL paragraph is that research into plasticity has real world application.
Example
For example, Lazar et al. studied mindfulness and meditation using MRI scans.
Those who meditated had a thicker cortex than non-mediators and an increase in grey matter in the left hippocampus
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks).
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain.
Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
This shows that the brain can permanently change in response to frequent exposure to a particular task.
A similar finding was observed by Draganski et al, who imaged the brains of medical students 3 months before and after their final exams.
Learning induced changes were seen to have occurred in the posterior hippocampus and the parietal cortex, presumably as a result of the exams.
This shows that plasticity can occur as a result of learning.
Functional recovery is a form of plasticity and it is the brain’s ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area(s) to other, undamaged area(s), following damage through trauma.
The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain is the most plastic during infancy, since neural connections are the most plastic then.
This is illustrated by Danielli et al’s case of EB.
EB had an operation when he was 2 and a half years old, where virtually all of his left hemisphere was removed.
Despite this, a follow-up of EB when he was aged 17 compared his language abilities with normal controls and it was found that his right hemisphere had compensated for his left hemisphere and he was functioning well linguistically.
Scans of EB’s brain showed that his brain activity was practically identical to normal controls, showing functional recovery, as EB was able to cortically remap his missing hemisphere.
This shows that if you’re young enough, the brain can alter significantly.
The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, plasticity can occur at any age.
This is shown by Boyke et al, who found that in 60 year olds taught a new skill of juggling, they had an increase in grey matter in their visual cortex, but the changes were reversed when they stopped practising.
As well as this, Bezzola et al. demonstrated how 40 hours of golf training produced changes in the neural representation of movement in participants who were aged 40 - 60 years old.
This matters because it shows that neural plasticity does continue throughout the lifespan.
The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that a person’s educational attainment influences how well the brain functionally adapts after injury.
For example, Schneider et al. (2014) found that the more time brain injury patients had spent in education, which was taken as an indication of their ‘cognitive reserve,’ the greater their chances of a disability-free recovery (DFR).
2/5 of patients studied who achieved DFR had more than 16 years of education, compared to about 10% of patients who had less than 12 years of education.
This shows that a person’s cognitive reserve is linked to neural adaptation during recovery from brain injury, as education has a physical impact on recovery.
The fourth AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain’s ability to rewire itself can sometimes have maladaptive behavioural consequences.
For example, Medina et al. found that prolonged drug use has been shown to result in poorer cognitive functioning, as well as an increased risk of dementia later in life.
This is because the brain remaps itself in response to the drug use.
As well as this, Ramachandran and Hirstein found that 60 to 80% of amputees have been known to develop phantom limb syndrome - the continued experience of sensations in the missing limb as if it is still there.
These sensations are usually unpleasant, painful and are thought to be due to cortical reorganisation in the somatosensory cortex that occurs as a result of limb loss.
This matters because it shows that plasticity isn’t always positive.
The fifth AO3 PEEL paragraph is that research into plasticity has real world application.
For example, Lazar et al. studied mindfulness and meditation using MRI scans.
Those who meditated had a thicker cortex than non-mediators and an increase in grey matter in the left hippocampus.
This is further illustrated by Tang, who found that 4 weeks of meditation showed an increase in white matter in the anterior cingulate cortex.
This led to improved self-regulation, which is important for resilience
Discuss what research has shown about plasticity and/or functional recovery of the brain after trauma/discuss research into plasticity of the brain including functional recovery (16 marks).
Plasticity (also referred to as neuroplasticity or cortical remapping) is the brain’s tendency to change and adapt, functionally and physically, as a result of experience and new learning, but there is also a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age due to changes in the brain.
Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group.
This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
This shows that the brain can permanently change in response to frequent exposure to a particular task.
A similar finding was observed by Draganski et al, who imaged the brains of medical students 3 months before and after their final exams.
Learning induced changes were seen to have occurred in the posterior hippocampus and the parietal cortex, presumably as a result of the exams.
This shows that plasticity can occur as a result of learning.
Functional recovery is a form of plasticity and it is the brain’s ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area(s) to other, undamaged area(s), following damage through trauma.
The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain is the most plastic during infancy, since neural connections are the most plastic then.
This is illustrated by Danielli et al’s case of EB.
EB had an operation when he was 2 and a half years old, where virtually all of his left hemisphere was removed.
Despite this, a follow-up of EB when he was aged 17 compared his language abilities with normal controls and it was found that his right hemisphere had compensated for his left hemisphere and he was functioning well linguistically.
Scans of EB’s brain showed that his brain activity was practically identical to normal controls, showing functional recovery, as EB was able to cortically remap his missing hemisphere.
This shows that if you’re young enough, the brain can alter significantly.
The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that However, plasticity can occur at any age.
This is shown by Boyke et al, who found that in 60 year olds taught a new skill of juggling, they had an increase in grey matter in their visual cortex, but the changes were reversed when they stopped practising.
As well as this, Bezzola et al. demonstrated how 40 hours of golf training produced changes in the neural representation of movement in participants who were aged 40 - 60 years old.
This matters because it shows that neural plasticity does continue throughout the lifespan.
The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that a person’s educational attainment influences how well the brain functionally adapts after injury.
For example, Schneider et al. (2014) found that the more time brain injury patients had spent in education, which was taken as an indication of their ‘cognitive reserve,’ the greater their chances of a disability-free recovery (DFR).
2/5 of patients studied who achieved DFR had more than 16 years of education, compared to about 10% of patients who had less than 12 years of education.
This shows that a person’s cognitive reserve is linked to neural adaptation during recovery from brain injury, as education has a physical impact on recovery.
The fourth AO3 PEEL paragraph is that the brain’s ability to rewire itself can sometimes have maladaptive behavioural consequences.
For example, Medina et al. found that prolonged drug use has been shown to result in poorer cognitive functioning, as well as an increased risk of dementia later in life.
This is because the brain remaps itself in response to the drug use.
As well as this, Ramachandran and Hirstein found that 60 to 80% of amputees have been known to develop phantom limb syndrome - the continued experience of sensations in the missing limb as if it is still there.
These sensations are usually unpleasant, painful and are thought to be due to cortical reorganisation in the somatosensory cortex that occurs as a result of limb loss.
This matters because it shows that plasticity isn’t always positive.
The fifth AO3 PEEL paragraph is that research into plasticity has real world application.
For example, Lazar et al. studied mindfulness and meditation using MRI scans.
Those who meditated had a thicker cortex than non-mediators and an increase in grey matter in the left hippocampus.
This is further illustrated by Tang, who found that 4 weeks of meditation showed an increase in white matter in the anterior cingulate cortex.
This led to improved self-regulation, which is important for resilience.
Why does this matter?
This matters because it shows that the brain can change and lead to improved mental health and behaviours
Functional recovery (16 marks). What would your AO1 include?
Your AO1 would include:
- Cortical remapping
- Swelling reduction
- Axonal sprouting
- Reformation of blood vessels
- Recruitment of homologous areas
Functional recovery (16 marks). Your AO1 would include cortical remapping, swelling reduction, axonal sprouting, reformation of blood vessels and recruitment of homologous areas.
What would your AO3 include?
Your AO3 would include how it depends on age.
Huttenlocker.
Tueber - soldiers 60% under 20, 20% over 26 recovered movement and vision.
Functional recovery is greater in children - neural reorganisation - Elbert - implications for treatment, because it shows that adults will need rehabilitation for longer
