functional recovery

Question 1

what is functional recovery?

Answer 1

a form of plasticity that follows damage through trauma

brain’s ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by damaged areas to undamaged areas

Question 2

what happens in brain during recovery?

Answer 2

rewires and reorganises itself by forming new synaptic connections close to damaged area
secondary neural pathways which would not typically be used to carry out certain functions activated- enables functioning to continue

supported by no. of structural changes in brain- axonal sprouting, denervation supersensitivty and recruitment of homologous areas

Question 3

axonal sprouting

Answer 3

growth of new nerve endings which connect with other undamaged nerve cells to form new neuronal pathways

Question 4

denervation supersensitivity

Answer 4

axons that do a similar job become aroused to a higher level to compensate for ones that are lost
(neg consequence- oversensitivity to messages such as pain)

Question 5

recruitment of homologous areas on opposite side of brain

Answer 5

specific tasks can still be performed
e.g. Broca’s area damaged on left side, right-sided equiv would carry out its functions
after time, functionality may then shift back to left

Question 6

strength- real-world applications

Answer 6

understanding plasticity processes contributed to neurorehabilitation field
knowing axonal growth possible encourages new therapies
e.g. constraint-induced movement therapy

strength- useful, aid recovery, QoL

Question 7

limitation- level of education influences recovery rates

Answer 7

Schneider- more time people w brain injury had spent in education, greater chances of DFR
40% DFR more than 16 yrs education, 10% less than 12 yrs

limitation- less educated people with brain damage less likely to achieve DFR, further research needed to help them