Bio- Brain Plasiticty And Functional Recovery Flashcards

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1
Q

What is plasticity

A
  • the brain has the ability to alter its structure and function in response to changes in the environment
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2
Q

How does plasticity work

A
  • 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
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3
Q

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

A
  • 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
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4
Q

Who does plasticity occur in

A
  • babies and children

- also adults one accepted

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5
Q

How can plasticity allow functional recovery after brain damage

A
  • 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
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6
Q

What is axon sprouting

A
  • 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
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7
Q

What are the factors that can affect functional recovery

A
  • 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
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