functional recovery Flashcards
what is functional recovery?
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
what happens in brain during recovery?
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
axonal sprouting
growth of new nerve endings which connect with other undamaged nerve cells to form new neuronal pathways
denervation supersensitivity
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)
recruitment of homologous areas on opposite side of brain
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
strength- real-world applications
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
limitation- level of education influences recovery rates
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