Functional Recovery After Trauma

Question 1

What is functional recovery after trauma?

Answer 1

• May occur after in brain after trauma
• Example of neural plasticity
• Healthy brain areas take over functions of those damaged

Question 2

What happens in the brain during recovery?

Answer 2

• Forms new synaptic connections close to area of damage
• Axonal sprouting
• Reformation of blood vessels
• Recruitment of homologous areas on opposite brain to perform specific tasks

Question 3

State the 1st strength of Functional Recovery After Trauma

Answer 3

• Research support from animal studies
• Tajiri et al (2013)
• Assigned rats with brain injuries:
  > 1st group - Transplanted stem cells
  > 2nd group (Control group) - No stem cells
• 3 months after - Stem cells group showed clear development of neuron like cells in area of injury

Question 4

State the 2nd strength of Functional Recovery After Trauma

Answer 4

• Educational attainment of functional recovery
• Schneider et al (2014)
• Injury patients (Ex-Students) - Great chances of a disability free recovery