Functional Recovery

Question 1

Functional Recovery Of The Brain After Trauma

Answer 1

-Following trauma, unaffected areas of the brain take over lost functions
-Important example of neural plasticity- healthy brain areas take over functions of areas damaged, destroyed, missing
-Neuroscientists suggest this process occurs quickly after trauma (spontaneous recovery) and then slows down- at which point, the person may need rehabilitative therapy

Question 2

Rewiring

Answer 2

-The brain is able to rewire and reorganise itself by forming new synaptic connections close to the area of damage
-Secondary neural pathways that would not be typically used to carry out certain functions are activated or ‘unmasked’ to enable functioning to continue.

Question 3

Structural Changes In The Brain

Answer 3

Further structural changes may include:
-Axonal sprouting- growth of new nerve endings which connect to other undamaged cells to form new neuronal pathways.
-Denervation supersensitivity- axons that do a similar job become aroused to a higher level to compensate for the ones that are lost
-Recruitment of homologous (similar) areas- the opposite side of the brain takes over specific tasks e.g. language production.

Question 4

A03 (Real World Application)

Answer 4

E- Understanding plasticity has led to neurorehabilitation. Understanding axonal growth encourages new therapies. For example, constraint-induced movement therapy involves massed practice with an affected arm while unaffected arm is restrained.
E- This shows the research into functional recovery helps medical professionals know when interventions can be made.

Question 5

A03 (Neural Plasticity May Be Related To Cognitive Reserve)

Answer 5

E- Schneider et al. looked at the time brain injury patients had spent in education (indicated their cognitive reserve) and their chances of a disability free recovery (DFR). 40% of patients who achieved DFR had more than 16 years’ education compared to about 10% of patients who had less than 12 years’ education.
E- This suggests that cognitive reserve is a crucial factor in determining how well the brain adapts after trauma.

Question 6

A03 (Small Samples)

Answer 6

E- Research on new treatments e.g. Banerjee et al. showed total recovery from stroke using stem cell treatment compared to normal 4% recovery. However this study drew conclusions based on just five participants and no control group, typical of research on functional recovery.
E- This research may lack validity, but waiting for larger samples may prevent the development of valuable treatments.