Brain Plasticity

Question 1

Changes in the brain stem from…

Answer 1

Changes in behaviour
Environment
Neural processes
Bodily injury

Question 2

Pascual Leone et al, 1993

Answer 2

Braille readers
Cortical representation of the reading finger was significantly enlarged
Changes within a day when braille practised for 4-6 hours (1995)

Question 3

Brain modelling

Answer 3

Steps to remodel the brain based upon experiences:
Repetition
Correct fundamentals
Authentic environment

Question 4

Structural changes in the brain Step 1

Answer 4

Synaptic plasticity:
Changes in the strength of connections between synapses.
LTD - long term plasticity, change in number of receptors for specific neurotransmitters

Question 5

Structural changes in the brain Step 2

Answer 5

Synaptogenesis and Synaptic pruning:
Creation and removal of entire groups of synapses
Synaptic pruning - synapse elimination between early childhood and the onset of puberty, results in more efficient synaptic connections, synapses not frequently used have weaker connections so are eliminated

Question 6

Structural changes in the brain Step 3

Answer 6

Neuronal migration:

Neurons extend from their place of birth and to connect to far reaching areas of the brain

Question 7

Structural changes in the brain Step 4

Answer 7

Neurogenesis:
Creation of new neurons generated from neural stem cells
Limited in the adult brain

Question 8

Neural cell death

Answer 8

Neurons die
Caused by:
Damage/over-excitation/disease
Natural cell death

Question 9

Functional reorganisation

Answer 9

Certain areas of the brain become specialised for specific tasks
Big change in experiences or brain damage can cause previously specialised brain ares to take over the work of others

Question 10

Brain plasticity in adults

Answer 10

Recent research reveals many aspects of the brain remain plastic in adulthood

Question 11

Cellular changes

Answer 11

Functional reorganisation as a result of learning

Question 12

Cortical remapping

Answer 12

Functional reorganisation as a response to injury

Question 13

Cortical maps

Answer 13

Sensory info from certain parts of the body projects to specific regions of the cerebral cortex - cortical representation of the body resembles a map: homonculus

Question 14

Phantom limb pain

Answer 14

Pain related to limb that is not physically part of the body

Question 15

Mirror box treatment

Answer 15

Ramachandran, 1996. Place good limb and amputated limb in mirror box, patients see reflection of good limb on the other side. Generates artificial feedback that ‘resurrected’ limb is moving.
Marian Michielsen ‘box therapy works by enhancing spatial coupling between limbs’