Chapter 5 - Brain injury and plasticity Flashcards
Neuron
a nerve cell that receives and transmits neural information
Synapse
the region that includes the axon terminals of the presynaptic neuron, the synaptic gap, and the dendrites of the postsynaptic neuron
Neuroplasticity
the ability of the brain to change in response
to experience or environmental stimulation
Developmental plasticity
changes in the brain that occur in response to ageing and maturation
Synaptogenesis
the formation of synapses between neurons as
axon terminals and dendrites grow
Synaptic pruning
the elimination of underused synapses
Myelination
the formation and development of myelin around the axon of a neuron
Brain trauma
damage to the brain that is caused by an external force
Adaptive plasticity
the brain’s ability to restore adequate neural functioning over time after sustaining injury
Sprouting
a neuron’s ability to develop new branches on the dendrites or axons
Rerouting
a neuron’s ability to form a new connection with another undamaged neuron
How to maintain brain functioning? (4 ways)
- mental stimulation
- diet
- physical activity
- social support
Aquired brain injury
all types of brain injury that occur after birth
- traumatic (car accident, falls)
- non traumatic (stroke, aneurism)
How brain injuries affect different parts of the brain
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
Effect of ABI on biological functioning
- behaviour
- organ function
- cellular and neuronal function
seizures, movement impairment, smell impairment
Effect of ABI on psychological functioning
- cognition
- behaviour
- emotion
Memory loss, personality changes, increased susceptibility to mental health disorders
Effect of ABI on social functioning
- relationships
- interactions with the environment
- interpersonal skills
Job productivity, social support, antisocial behaviour
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
a progressive and fatal brain disease associated with repeated head injuries and concussions
Concussion
a mild traumatic brain injury that temporarily disrupts brain function
Neurodegenerative disease
a disease characterised by the progressive loss of neurons in the brain
Symptoms of CTE
- 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.
Neurofibrillary tangles
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
