Exam 2 Flashcards
(52 cards)
Neuron regeneration (PNS)
- Regeneration does occur.
2. Schwann cells support cell regeneration and new axonal connections.
What is synaptic strengthening?
- Changes underlying strengthening
- presynaptic action potential -> increases release of neurotransmitter.
- larger current induced in post synaptic cell.
- Presynaptic activity must be consistently followed by post synaptic activity (Hebb’s rule).
- Induced by repetitive stimulation.
Effects of brain damage
Cell death Neural degeneration Diaschisis Altered cortical excitability Hypoperfusion
Neuron regeneration (CNS)
- Oligodendrocytes do NOT support cell regeneration.
- Damage more extensive than in PNS.
- Glial cells from scar tissue -> barrier to new axonal growth.
- Limited regeneration occurs, but not sufficient to make up for large cell loses.
Recovery of function
- learning reorganizes the damaged brain even w/o therapy.
- person develops compensatory behaviors that alter brain structure and function.
compensatory behaviors that alter brain structure and function
- ex. reliance on less affected limb in hemipelegia.
- can be adaptive and improve function.
- can be maladaptive and interfere with improvements that could be made with therapy.
Experience dependent plasticity relies on what?
- use it or lose it. 6. time matters.
- use it and improve it. 7. salience matters.
- specificity. 8. Age matters.
- repetition. 9. Transference.
- intensity. 10. interference.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
-adjunct to behavioral therapy-
- coil placed on skill induces current in the cerebral cortex.
- current suppresses or enhances cortical excitability.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
-adjunct to behavioral therapy-
- surface electrodes placed on skull.
- electrodes induce current in the brain.
- Influences neuronal excitability.
Neurological examination
- examine the cranial nerves, motor system, sensory system.
- examine reflexes.
- Higher cortical function.
* *Informs of structure and function.
EEG
Electroencephalogram
- studies electrical activity in brain.
- uses surface electrodes.
- used most often to diagnose seizures.
- informs of functon.
EMG/nerve conduction studies
EMG=Electromyography.
- used to diagnose neuromuscular disease.
- EMG: measure electrical activity of muscles at rest and during movement. Used to diagnose ALS, myasthenia gravis. Function.
- Nerve conduction study: Measures nerve impulse propagation in LMNs. Used to diagnose Guillain-Barre Charcot-Marie-Tooth. Structure and function
fMRI
functional magnetic resonance imaging.
- done in a MR scanner.
- indirect measure of neuronal function.
- Used for pre-surgical planning.
- resting state fMRI.
- *Funtion**
PET
Positron emission computed tomography.
- Measures metabolic rates for oxygen, glucose or blood flow (rCBF).
- radioactive tracer injected into vein -> tracer collects in organs/tissues.
- “GOLD STANDARD” for tumor detection.
- Aid in differential diagnosis of movement disorders.
- *Function**
Spinal tap
- CSF drawn from lumbar cistern.
- examined for: White blood cells (infection, tumor, demyelinating disease.
- Red blood cells (bleeding).
- Excess protein (tumor, infection, diabetes.)
- Glucose (elevated or decreased)
- *Structure**
cerebral angiography
visualize arteries.
- incision made in an artery.
- catheter passed through arterial system, then in to the carotid artery.
- contrast medium forced through catheter and thus into the cerebral circulation.
- x-rays are taken.
* *Structure**
plasticity
ability of the brain to change its structure and function over the course of the lifetime.
conditions where neuroplasticity occurs
- normal childhood brain development.
- Learning/memory throughout lifetime.
- Reorganization after brain injury.
developmental plasticity
-synaptogenesis and synaptic pruning-
synaptogenesis- new synapses created as a result of experiences.
synaptic pruning- the number of synapses are reduced, the stronger ones stay and the weaker ones are pruned.
in which order do the systems develop?
1st-> sensory system develops
2nd-> language system develops
3rd-> cognition develops
metaplasticity
Regulates plasticity so it occurs at the proper time and to the proper extent.
May be impaired in certain populations (eg. Autism)
Normal adult plasticity
The brain never stops learning/changing.
Changes in plasticity appear to underlie expertise..
physiological bases of plasticity in the normal adult.
- dendritic spines expand, allowing more interaction with other neurons.
- axons develop new connections (in passing or through sprouting).
- Glial cells affect the synaptic transmission, coordinate neural activity, and affect the excitability.
- unmasking
- synaptic strengthening
unmasking
- many brain networks are chronically inactive due to inhabition.
- These networks are released from inhabition and begin to function.