Functional recovery

Question 1

what is functional recovery

Answer 1

A form of plasticity. Following damage through trauma, the brain’s ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area to other undamaged areas. Neuroscientists suggest that this process can occur quickly after trauma and then slow down after several weeks or months.

Question 2

What happens in the brain during recovery?

Answer 2

During recovery, the brain is able to rewire and reorganise itself forming new synaptic connections close to the area of damage. Secondary neural pathways that would not typically be used to carry out certain functions are activated to enable functioning to continue.

This process is supported by a number of structural changes in the brain including: axonal sprouting, denervation super sensitivity, recruitment of homologous areas on the opposite side of the brain

Question 3

Axonal sprouting

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Denervation super sensitivity

Answer 4

this occurs when axons that do a similar job become aroused to a higher level to compensate for the ones that are lost. However, it can have the negative consequence of oversensitivity to messages such as pain.

Question 5

Recruitment of homologous areas on the opposite side of the brain

Answer 5

this means specific tasks can still be performed. For example, if Broca’s area was damaged on the left side of the brain, the right-sided equivalent would carry out its functions. After a period of time, functionality may shift back to the left side

Question 6

strength of functional recovery

Answer 6

one strength of functional recovery research is its real-world application. Understanding the processes involved in plasticity has contributed to the field of neurorehabilitation. Understanding that axonal growth is possible encourages new therapies to be tried. For example, constraint-induced movement therapy is used with stroke patients whereby they repeatedly practise using the affected part of their body while the unaffected part is restrained. This shows that research into functional recovery is useful as it helps medical professionals know when interventions need to be made.

Question 7

weakness of functional recovery

Answer 7

one limitation of functional recovery is that level of education may influence recovery rates. Schneider et al (2014) revealed that the more time people with a brain injury had spent in education – taken as an indication of their ‘cognitive reserve’ - the greater the chances of a disability-free recovery (DFR). 40% of those who achieved DFR had more than 16 years’ education compared to about 10% of those who had less than 12 years’ education. This implies that people with brain damage who have insufficient DFR are less likely to achieve a full recovery.

Question 8

Evaluation of functional recovery (brief)

Answer 8

strength - real world application, stroke patients
weakness - education influence recovery rates