Biopsychology Flashcards
What are the 2 language areas?
Broca’s Area and Wernicke’s Area
What is Broca’s area involved in?
Language production
What is Wernicke’s area involved in?
Processing language
What is plasticity?
The brain’s tendency to change and adapt as a result of experience and learning by growing new connections
What is synaptic pruning?
Where connections are lost due to lack of use
What is synaptic bridging?
Where new connections are created due to use and new stimulus
What is a weakness of plasticity?
Negative plasticity - May have negative consequences on later life
What is a strength of plasticity?
Age and plasticity - Brain plasticity may be a life-long ability
What is functional recovery?
The ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually preformed by a damaged area to an undamaged area after trauma
What are the 3 structural changes to the brain in functional recovery?
Axonal sprouting, denervation supersensitivity and recruitment of homologous areas
What is axonal sprouting in functional recovery?
The growth of new nerve endings which connect with other undamaged nerve cells to form new neuronal pathways
What is denervation supersensitivity in functional recovery?
When axons that do a similar job become aroused to a higher level to compensate for the ones that are lost
What is recruitment of homologous areas in functional recovery?
Similar areas on opposite sides of the brain take over
What is a strength of functional recovery?
Real-world application - Constraint induced movement therapy is used with stroke patients
What is a weakness of functional recovery?
Cognitive reserve - Level of education may influence recovery rates