Chapter 5 - Brain plasticity and brain injury

Question 1

Neuron

Answer 1

a nerve cell that receives and transmits neural information

Dendrites - receive info from other neurons & transmits to nucleus
Nucleus/Soma - combines info received from dendrites
Axon - transmits info from nucleus to other neurons/cells
Myelin - fatty, insulating coating on axon to speed up message transmission
Axon terminals - stores & releases neurotransmitters across synapse

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 responding to ageing and maturation
Factors that influence it:
- synaptogenesis
- synaptic pruning
- myelanation

Question 5

Synaptogenesis

Answer 5

the formation of synapses between neurons as axon terminals and dendrites grow
- can occur throughout lifespan, most intense in infancy

Question 6

Synaptic pruning

Answer 6

the elimination of underused synapses
- occurs throughout lifespan, most intense when 2/3 yrs and adolescence

Question 7

Myelination

Answer 7

the formation and development of myelin around the axon of a neuron
- contributes to increase in brain size
- allows neurons to send messages faster
- sensory areas are myelinated before motor areas

Question 8

Brain Trauma

Answer 8

damage to the brain that is caused by an external force
Effects on neurons:
- death of neurons & neuronal connections
- overstimulation of neurones - too many neurotransmitter in tissue
- damage to neurons for specific tasks

Question 9

Adaptive plasticity

Answer 9

the brain’s ability to restore adequate neural functioning over time after sustaining injury
Factors that influence it:
- sprouting
- rerouting

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

Ways to maintain brain functioning

Answer 12

• mental stimulation
• diet
• physical activity
• social support

Question 13

Acquired brain injury

Answer 13

all types of brain injury that occur after birth

Question 14

Traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury

Answer 14

Traumatic brain injury - damage to the brain caused by an external force

Non-traumatic brain injury - damage to the brain caused by internal factors

Question 15

Brain injury effect on biopsychosocial functioning

Answer 15

Biological function:
- behaviour
- organ function
- cellular and neuronal function
- seizures, movement, impairment, smell impairment

Psychological function:
- cognition
- behaviour
- emotion
- memory loss, personality changes, increase susceptibility to mental health disorders

Social function:
- relationships
- interactions with the environment
- interpersonal skills
- job productivity

Question 16

Neurological disorders

Answer 16

diseases characterised by any damage to or malfunctioning of the nervous system

Question 17

Parkinson’s disease

Answer 17

• a progressive disease of the nervous system characterised by both motor and non-motor symptoms
• progressive loss of neurons in the brain
• neurodegeneration occurs in the part of the brain that produces dopamine (neurotransmitter voluntary movement, pleasure, pain)
• low dopamine levels lead to symptoms

Motor symptoms - tremors, reduced motor control, muscle stiffness
Non-motor symptoms - problems w/ cognition, fatigue, depression & anxiety

Question 18

Neurodegenerative diseases

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)

Answer 19

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

Symptoms:
- impairment in executive functions
- memory loss
- depression
- disturbances in behaviour
- anxiety and paranoia
- mood impairments

Diagnosis:
- can only be diagnosed in a post-mortem examination
- associated with build-up of a protein (p-tau) in brain regions
- ^ forms neurofibrillary tangles - stop transport of essential substances & eventually kill the neuron

Question 20

Concussion

Answer 20

a mild traumatic brain injury that
temporarily disrupts brain function