Biopsychology - Plasticity and Functional Recovery of the Brain After Trauma Flashcards
What is brain plasticity?
Brain plasticity refers to the brain’s ability to change and adapt (functionally and physically) as a result of experience and learning. It was originally thought that plasticity only occurred during childhood, but research shows it can occur at any time in life.
What happens during synaptic pruning?
As we age, rarely used connections are deleted, and frequently used connections are strengthened. This process allows the brain to adapt to its environment.
What did Eleanor Maguire et al. (2000) discover about London taxi drivers?
Eleanor Maguire found significantly more grey matter volume in the posterior hippocampus of London taxi drivers compared to a control group. This part of the brain is linked to spatial and navigational skills, and the changes appeared to result from their experience of driving and recalling city streets.
What did Draganski et al. (2006) discover about medical students?
Draganski et al. imaged the brains of medical students three months before and after their final exams. They found learning-induced changes in the posterior hippocampus and the parietal cortex as a result of intense studying.
What happens in functional recovery after brain trauma?
Unaffected areas of the brain adapt and compensate for damaged areas through neuroplasticity. This process is often supported by:
- Axonal sprouting: Growth of new nerve endings to connect with undamaged nerve cells.
- Reformation of blood vessels.
- Recruitment of homologous areas: Opposite sides of the brain temporarily take over functions.
What is negative plasticity?
The brain’s ability to rewire itself can have maladaptive consequences. Examples include:
- Phantom limb syndrome, where 60–80% of amputees experience sensations in the missing limb, often painful.
- Poor cognitive functioning due to prolonged drug use.
What does Bezzola et al. (2012) suggest about age and plasticity?
Bezzola et al. demonstrated that 40 hours of golf training produced changes in neural representations in participants aged 40–60. This shows that plasticity continues throughout life, although functional plasticity tends to decline with age.
What is neurorehabilitation?
Neurorehabilitation is a practical application of plasticity research. It uses physical therapy and electrical stimulation to help counter deficits caused by brain trauma, such as strokes.
What is one evaluation point about brain plasticity and functional recovery?
Support from animal studies:
Early evidence of plasticity and recovery came from animal studies. Hubel and Wiesel (1963) sewed one eye of a kitten shut and analyzed the brain’s cortical responses. The visual cortex associated with the shut eye continued to process information from the open eye, demonstrating the brain’s ability to adapt to new input.
What is another evaluation point about brain plasticity and recovery?
The concept of cognitive reserve:
Eric Schneider et al. (2014) found that patients with a college education were more likely to recover better from brain trauma than those without. Cognitive reserve suggests that education and mental stimulation help the brain compensate after injury.
What is a limitation of plasticity and recovery?
Negative plasticity:
Plasticity can sometimes result in maladaptive outcomes, such as phantom limb syndrome, where the somatosensory cortex reorganizes itself after limb loss, leading to sensations of pain in the missing limb.
What is another practical application of plasticity research?
Application in neurorehabilitation:
Understanding plasticity has contributed to techniques like physical therapy and electrical stimulation, which help restore motor or cognitive function after strokes or injuries. However, recovery slows over time, requiring further intervention.
