BIOPSYCHOLOGY Plasticity And Functional Recovery Of Brain After Trauma Flashcards
What is plasticity
Describes the brains tendency to change and adapt as a result of experience and new learning
Brain plasticity during infancy
Brain experiences rapid growth in the number of synaptic connections it has - at age 2/3 they have twice as many as an adult brain
What is synaptic pruning
When rarely used connections are deleted and frequently used connections are strengthened
What is an example of plasticity
Functional recovery
What is functional recovery
After trauma to the brain unaffected areas of the brain are able to adapt and compensate for the damaged areas
Spontaneous recovery
It can occur quickly after trauma ans then slow down after several weeks or months and at that point may need rehab therapy to continue recovery
What happens in the brain during recovery
The brain is able to retire and reorganise itself by forming new synaptic connections close to the area of damage
Describe about the secondary neural pathways
SNP that would not typically be used to used for certain functions are activated (unmasking )to enable functioning to continue
For unmasking to happen what are the 3 structural changes in the brain which support it
Axonal sprouting
Reformation of blood vessels
Recruitment of homologous
What is axonal sprouting
Growth of new nerve endings which connect with other undamaged nerve cells to form new neuronal pathways
What is reformation of blood vessels
Blood vessels are reformed to ensure the brain functions in affected areas
What is recruitment of homologous
Areas on the opposite side of the brain to perform specific tasks
Eg : Broca’s area damaged on the left side of the brain, the right side equivalent would carry out its functions
