brain development and malfunctions

Question 1

what are the 5 stages of neural development

Answer 1

proliferation, migration, circuit formation, myelination

Question 2

define plasticity

Answer 2

the ability of the brain’s synapses to be modified

Question 3

define developmental plasticity

Answer 3

the development and consolidation of neural pathways in babies, children, adolescents

Question 4

define adaptive plasticity

Answer 4

the ability of the brain to change, adapt and grow throughout life

Question 5

define proliferation

Answer 5

the first stage in the development of the nervous system, where cells are destined to become neurons multiply

Question 6

define migration

Answer 6

during development plasticity, the movement of newly formed neurons

Question 7

define circuit formation

Answer 7

a process that involves axons of new neurons growing out to target cells, forming new synapses with them

Question 8

define myelination

Answer 8

is the growth of the white, fatty myelin around the axons. Myelin increases the rate at which neural info travels along the axon and it also acts as an electrical insulator

Question 9

what is synaptogenesis

Answer 9

the process of forming new synapses

Question 10

what is synaptic pruning

Answer 10

it involves the elimination of excess neurons and synapses- those who have not established a connection with a neighbouring cell will die. This makes it easier to strengthen the important ones

Question 11

what are some common causes of brain injury

Answer 11

concussion, head injuries, stroke, anoxia

Question 12

frontal lobe damage - biological, psychological and social

Answer 12

• biological: physical changes, impairments with motor activity
• psychological: changes in emotions and personality, cognitive impairments (forgetfulness)
• social: breakdown in relationships, difficulty establishing new relationships

Question 13

parietal lobe damage

Answer 13

spatial neglect- a disorder in which the person affected systematically ignores stimuli on one side of their body

Question 14

what is Broca’s aphasia

Answer 14

is an injury to Broca’s area- which is partial loss of the ability to speak fluently

Question 15

what is Wernicke’s aphasia

Answer 15

is an injury to Wernicke’s area- difficulty understanding speech

Question 16

define rerouting neurons

Answer 16

an undamaged neuron that has lost a connection with an active neuron may seek a new active neuron and connect with it instead

Question 17

define sprouting neurons

Answer 17

the growth of new, bushier nerve fibres with more branches to make new connections

Question 18

define Parkinson’s disease - 2 symptoms

Answer 18

is the degeneration of dopamine producing neurons in the basal ganglia. Symptoms - slowness of movement, rigidity

Question 19

what treatments are available for Parkinson’s disease

Answer 19

medication: increases dopamine levels and other dopamine agonists that mimic dopamine - only useful as long as there are dopamine producing neurons

Question 20

what are some changes to the brain during adolescence - describe frontal lobe development

Answer 20

• The prefrontal cortex is the last part of the brain to mature (last part to undergo myelination, synaptogenesis and synaptic pruning)
• increase in the number of neural connections in the prefrontal cortex
• increase in the synaptic pruning
• it plays an important role in high order thinking, like the ability to reason, make good judgments

Question 21

What is meant by a sensitive period

Answer 21

periods of time when a child easily absorbs information in a specific way

Question 22

what are the 2 types of brain damage

Answer 22

• sudden onset

- insidious onset