additional studies Flashcards
what are the 4 additional studies in topic 2?
-synaptic pruning
-Mauro-Martin et al.
-DeBellis
-graduated driving licences
what is synaptogenesis?
the process by which new synapses are formed between neurons
what is synaptic pruning?
-inactive synapses die off
-active synapses would have experienced greater neurotransmitter activity which would strengthen the synapses
-‘use it or lose it’
why does synaptic pruning happen?
to ‘organise’ the brain and allow areas to become specialised for certain functions such as auditory, visual, sensory and motor
what happens to neurones that survive pruning?
-usually become myelinated
-this allows neurones to conduct electrical impulses more efficiently
e.g. hand eye coordination improves
what is the benefit of omega-3 for brain cells?
brain cells with high levels of omega-3 in their membranes are thought to be better at communicating with other cells.
what was the sample in Mauro-Martin’s study?
-60 children with ADHD
-from Madrid, Spain
-aged 6 - 16 years
-41 boys and 18 girls
what groups were participants in Mauro-Martin’s study divided into?
-4 groups
-1 control group
-1 group with a Mediterranean diet
-1 group with omega-3 supplementation
-1 group with omega-3 supplementation and a Mediterranean diet
what was used to measure the level of impulsiveness in the children in Mauro-Martin’s study?
-BIS-11c test
this is a version of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale that has been adapted for children
what was used to assess the adherence to the Mediterranean diet in Mauro-Martin’s study?
KIDMED test
what were the results of Mauro-Martin’s study?
the only group which scored lower on the BIS-11c test after dietary intervention was the omega-3 supplementation group
what was the sample in DeBellis’ study?
44 children and adolescents with PTSD following maltreatment
61 matched controls
what was the procedure in DeBellis’ study?
-MRI scans were carried out on the participants
what were the results of DeBellis’ study?
-intercranial volume had decreased by 7% in PTSD children
-decreased area of the corpus callosum in PTSD participants
-male PTSD children had smaller intercranial volume and measurements of corpus callosum than females
-earlier onset of abuse correlated with smaller intercranial volume
what is a graduated driving license?
new drivers are given a probationary period where driving is restricted in certain ways.
