Chapter 5 - Brain injury and plasticity

Question 1

Neuron

Answer 1

a nerve cell that receives and transmits neural information

Question 2

Synapse

Answer 2

the region that includes the axon terminals of the presynaptic neuron, the synaptic gap, and the dendrites of the postsynaptic neuron

Question 3

Neuroplasticity

Answer 3

the ability of the brain to change in response
to experience or environmental stimulation

Question 4

Developmental plasticity

Answer 4

changes in the brain that occur in response to ageing and maturation

Question 5

Synaptogenesis

Answer 5

the formation of synapses between neurons as
axon terminals and dendrites grow

Question 6

Synaptic pruning

Answer 6

the elimination of underused synapses

Question 7

Myelination

Answer 7

the formation and development of myelin around the axon of a neuron

Question 8

Brain trauma

Answer 8

damage to the brain that is caused by an external force

Question 9

Adaptive plasticity

Answer 9

the brain’s ability to restore adequate neural functioning over time after sustaining injury

Question 10

Sprouting

Answer 10

a neuron’s ability to develop new branches on the dendrites or axons

Question 11

Rerouting

Answer 11

a neuron’s ability to form a new connection with another undamaged neuron

Question 12

How to maintain brain functioning? (4 ways)

Answer 12

• mental stimulation
• diet
• physical activity
• social support

Question 13

Aquired brain injury

Answer 13

all types of brain injury that occur after birth

• traumatic (car accident, falls)
• non traumatic (stroke, aneurism)

Question 14

How brain injuries affect different parts of the brain

Answer 14

Temporal - recognising fav song, hearing fire alarm go off

Parietal - guessing distance, creating conclusions

Frontal - trouble deciding what to wear, mood swings

Brain stem - controlling heart rate and breathing

Occipital - seeing colours, reading traffic signs

Cerebellum - balancing on a bike, tying a shoelace

Question 15

Effect of ABI on biological functioning

Answer 15

• behaviour
• organ function
• cellular and neuronal function

seizures, movement impairment, smell impairment

Question 16

Effect of ABI on psychological functioning

Answer 16

• cognition
• behaviour
• emotion

Memory loss, personality changes, increased susceptibility to mental health disorders

Question 17

Effect of ABI on social functioning

Answer 17

• relationships
• interactions with the environment
• interpersonal skills

Job productivity, social support, antisocial behaviour

Question 18

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy

Answer 18

a progressive and fatal brain disease associated with repeated head injuries and concussions

Question 19

Concussion

Answer 19

a mild traumatic brain injury that temporarily disrupts brain function

Question 20

Neurodegenerative disease

Answer 20

a disease characterised by the progressive loss of neurons in the brain

Question 21

Symptoms of CTE

Answer 21

• impairments in executive functions, such as reasoning and decision-making
• memory loss
• depression
• difficulties with attention and concentration
• disturbances in behaviour
• anxiety and paranoia
• mood impairments, such as increased aggression and emotional outbursts.

Question 22

Neurofibrillary tangles

Answer 22

an accumulation of the protein tau that forms insoluble tangles within neurons, which then inhibit the transportation of essential substances and eventually kill the neuron entirely