General

Question 1

What is plasticity?

Answer 1

The capacity of the CNS to adapt to functional demands and capacity to reorganize.

Question 2

At what levels does plasticity occur

Answer 2

Brain, network, intracellular, biochemical, genetic

Question 3

What two types of modification occur in the brain with learning?

Answer 3

1) change in internal structure of neurons

2) increase in number of synapses between neurons and dendritic growth

Question 4

What are the 2 mechanisms in the CNS following injury?

Answer 4

1) Restorative- restore function, recover injured tissue, growth of dendrites
2) Compensation- different neural circuits

Question 5

How do we learn?

Answer 5

Initially, by changing synaptic effiency which leads to change in synaptic connections
We need to keep persisting with the new skill so it leads to long term change

Question 6

What is diaschsis?

Answer 6

Temporary disruption of function due to shock and damage to brain tissue

Question 7

What is denervation hypersensitivity

Answer 7

Post synaptic sites produce more receptors to catch depleting signals

Question 8

Unmasking of silent synapses

Answer 8

We have synapses in our brain that are not well used but haven’t been depleted
These can be unmasked so we can use them

Question 9

What is cortical mapping

Answer 9

Peripheral injuries change cortical mapping of the brain

Cortical mapping demonstrates immediate unmasking of silent synapses