AOS2- Sac 2 Flashcards
When is the brain at around 90-95% adult size?
6 years
When does synaptogenesis take place?
Before birth
What is synaptogenesis?
Involves the formation of new synapses is the place where neighbouring neurons connect and communicate
What happens when neural connections are repeatedly used?
They strengthen
When do the two bursts of myelination occur?
Shortly after birth and during adolescence
What is the last brain area to reach maturity?
Prefrontal cortex
The case study of Phineas Gage demonstrates the effects of brain injury to the cortex in the…?
Frontal lobe
Spatial neglect is most commonly associated with damage in the…?
Parietal lobe
Most symptoms of Parkinson’s disease result from…?
Depleted amounts of dopamine in the substantia nigra
What is Parkinson’s disease best described as?
A central nervous system disorder
What is a synapse?
The place where neurons communicate
The process of eliminating synaptic connections is called…?
Synaptic pruning
When a brain area assumes or ‘ takes over ‘ the function of an adjacent damaged brain area, this is best described as…?
Adaptive plasticity
A brain injury due to neural degeneration has…?
Gradual onset
Brain maturation is generally complete by the end of…?
Early adulthood
Explain the meaning of neurodegenerative in relation to brain injury.
Characterised by the progressive decline in the structure, activity and function of the brain tissue.
Explain the difference between a brain injury and a head injury
Brain injury refers to any brain damage that impairs or interferes with normal functions. Whereas head injury is an injury to the skull.
Describe a potential biological change caused by prefrontal cortex injury.
Trouble with overall level of motor activity
Describe a potential psychological change caused by prefrontal cortex injury.
Emotion and personality changes
Describe a potential social change caused by prefrontal cortex injury
Difficulty establishing and maintaining new relationships
Describe some characteristics of general pattern of brain growth and injury.
Development of myelin
Synaptic pruning
Hindbrain, midbrain then forebrain
Name and describe two processes other then genes and maturation that contribute to growth of brain size
Myelination - growth and development of white, fatty, substance around axons
Synaptogenesis - formation of new synapses between brain neurons
Describe a potential benefit of studying changes in patients with cerebral cortex damage.
The ability to discover the functions of damaged part of brain
When are the periods of rapid development in changes of brain structure and functions?
Infancy and early childhood.
Explain why an immature or underdeveloped prefrontal cortex in adolescence is believed to contribute to poor decision making and impulsive behaviour.
Due,to it being the last part of the brain to mature. Prefrontal cortex is associated with reason and good judgements and isn’t fully developed until the age of 25.
Explain the meaning of adaptive plasticity in relationship to the brain
Refers to the ability of the brain to compensate for lost functions and/or to maximise remaining functions in event of brain injury
When during the lifespan is adaptive plasticity more likely to assist in recovery from brain injury? Explain
Quicker and more substantial in infancy and childhood because as we grow older we gradually lose the ability to compensate for damage.
Give examples of naturally occurring neural mechanisms that assists recovery from brain injury through adaptive plasticity.
Rerouting - an undamaged neuron that has lost connection with an active neuron may seek a new active neuron and connect with it instead
Sprouting - is the growth of additional branches on axons or dendrites to enable new connections
Give an example of a type of study on Parkinson’s disease that may be conducted using a neuroimaging technique.
PET and fMRI due to showing both brain structure and activity
What is an assumption underlying animal studies on Parkinson’s disease?
That causes and treatments will be similar in both animal and humans because of the similarly in brain structure and functions
Give one example of a research finding from animal studies that improved understanding or treatment of Parkinson’s disease
Dopamine played a role in the control of voluntary movements and was linked to Parkinson’s disease
What is Parkinson’s disease?
Progressive neurological disorder characterised by motor and non motor symptoms.
Name two motor and two non motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Tremor and slow movements ( motor )
Sexual and visual difficulties ( non - motor )
What is special neglect?
Neurological disorder whereby individuals are unable to notice anything either on their left or right side
What is brain plasticity?
The ability of the brain to change in response to experience
What are functions of the temporal lobe?
Facial recognition
Understanding language
Learning and memory
What is “ use it or lose it? “
If you learn something new. A new connection is formed but if you don’t use this connection or task for a while you will forget or ‘ lose ‘ that connection.
