Chapter 2: Neuroplasticity

Question 1

Neuroplasticity

Answer 1

the ability of the brain to change through synaptic connections between neurons due to environmental and genetic factors.

Question 2

Synaptic plasticity

Answer 2

Synaptic connections between neurons altering over time to form skillsets and memories.

Question 3

Cortical remapping

Answer 3

the phenomenon when brain part X assumes the functions of brain part Y.

Question 4

Merzenich et al (1984)

Answer 4

A: to study the cortical representation of the hand in eight owl monkeys and map it.

M: experiment

P:

1: Stimulation of areas on all fingers to map the hand digits in the cortex.
2: Middle finger amputated.
3: Another mapping to see the change.

R: The area for digit three was removed but reoccupied by digit 2 and 4.

C: cortical remapping of sensory inputs from the hand occurs within 62 days in owl monkeys.

E: cause-and-effect relationship can be determined, as it is an experimental design and monkeys share genomes,
ethical considerations regarding the treatment of animals.

Question 5

Draginski et al (2004)

Answer 5

A: can the human brain change structure due to environmental demands.

M: Two groups - jugglers and non-jugglers, found by a random self-selected sample

P: Jugglers practice for three months, non jugglers don’t. Initial brain scan and brain scan after 3 months. No practicing for 3 more months followed by another brain scan.

R: Greymatter increased the first 3 months for jugglers but decreased after 3 months of not juggling (not completely)

C: There was a correlation

E: Not very strict monitoring over the 6 months

Question 6

Epigenetics

Answer 6

the phenomenon of what role genetics take in the shaping of behavior as an organism matures due to biological factors and environmental inputs. This mainly concerns how nurture can have an impact on physiology and behavior.

Question 7

Maguire el al (2000)

Answer 7

A: study the structure of the hippocampus to validate a hypothesis that it was involved in spatial abilities

M: Training program

P: 16 male, right handed, good health taxi drivers with 1.5 years experience. Control: 50 scans of healthy right handed males that weren’t taxi drivers.

R: the volume of gray matter was similar, but it was redistributed for the taxi drivers. They had more gray matter in the posterior hippocampus compares to the anterior.

C: Correlation between variables

E: Quasi-experiment: the allocation of groups was not randomized.

Question 8

Paul Bach-y-Rita (1934-2006)

Answer 8

Neuroscientist that was one of the first to introduce the idea of sense substitution.

Question 9

Draganski et al (2006)

Answer 9

A: to investigate learning-induced structural plasticity of the brain.

M: Quasi

P: Brain scan 3 months before the exam, brain scan 1-2 days after exams and another one 3 months after.

R: Increase of gray matter in the parietal cortex in both sides and in the posterior hippocampus. Gray matter in the hippocampus grew even after the exam.

C: Certain structural gray matter patterns in particular brain areas are involved in the formation of new memories.

E: Examination stress – ethical?

Question 10

Sense substitution

Answer 10

the idea that other senses may be used to make up for a lost sense.