Bio- Brain Plasiticty And Functional Recovery

Question 1

What is plasticity

Answer 1

• the brain has the ability to alter its structure and function in response to changes in the environment

Question 2

How does plasticity work

Answer 2

• information takes a pathway through the brain travelling from one neuron to the next via synapses
• presented with new information- new neural pathways form
• using a neural pathway strengthens it
• if one is not used it becomes weaker

Question 3

How do we learn to adapt and change in our environment.

Answer 3

• constant rewiring and reorganisation
• eg when we first carry out a new action we are not very good at it but if we repeat that action we get better as the pathways strengthen

Question 4

Who does plasticity occur in

Answer 4

• babies and children

- also adults one accepted

Question 5

How can plasticity allow functional recovery after brain damage

Answer 5

• brain damage can result in a loss of function
• has the potential to recover some of the lost functions
• brain begins to retire itself
• healthy areas located near the damaged areas begin to take over

Question 6

What is axon sprouting

Answer 6

• axon is damaged it loses all its connections to Neighbouring neurons
• brain can fix it by sprouting a new one which can replace the lost connections
• can happen two weeks after

Question 7

What are the factors that can affect functional recovery

Answer 7

• stress and Alchol consumption
• significant inhibitor on the ability to recover
• gender
• women’s brains are more likely to recover then men’s
• age
• the brain deteriorates with age so you are more likely to recover when you are young