brain development and malfunctions Flashcards
what are the 5 stages of neural development
proliferation, migration, circuit formation, myelination
define plasticity
the ability of the brain’s synapses to be modified
define developmental plasticity
the development and consolidation of neural pathways in babies, children, adolescents
define adaptive plasticity
the ability of the brain to change, adapt and grow throughout life
define proliferation
the first stage in the development of the nervous system, where cells are destined to become neurons multiply
define migration
during development plasticity, the movement of newly formed neurons
define circuit formation
a process that involves axons of new neurons growing out to target cells, forming new synapses with them
define myelination
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
what is synaptogenesis
the process of forming new synapses
what is synaptic pruning
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
what are some common causes of brain injury
concussion, head injuries, stroke, anoxia
frontal lobe damage - biological, psychological and social
- biological: physical changes, impairments with motor activity
- psychological: changes in emotions and personality, cognitive impairments (forgetfulness)
- social: breakdown in relationships, difficulty establishing new relationships
parietal lobe damage
spatial neglect- a disorder in which the person affected systematically ignores stimuli on one side of their body
what is Broca’s aphasia
is an injury to Broca’s area- which is partial loss of the ability to speak fluently
what is Wernicke’s aphasia
is an injury to Wernicke’s area- difficulty understanding speech
define rerouting neurons
an undamaged neuron that has lost a connection with an active neuron may seek a new active neuron and connect with it instead
define sprouting neurons
the growth of new, bushier nerve fibres with more branches to make new connections
define Parkinson’s disease - 2 symptoms
is the degeneration of dopamine producing neurons in the basal ganglia. Symptoms - slowness of movement, rigidity
what treatments are available for Parkinson’s disease
medication: increases dopamine levels and other dopamine agonists that mimic dopamine - only useful as long as there are dopamine producing neurons
what are some changes to the brain during adolescence - describe frontal lobe development
- 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
What is meant by a sensitive period
periods of time when a child easily absorbs information in a specific way
what are the 2 types of brain damage
- sudden onset
- insidious onset
