L17 - Neuroplasticity

Question 1

What is neuroplasticity?

Answer 1

Refers to the brains ability to recognise and alter its anatomical and functional connectivity in response to environmental input

Question 2

Why is neuroplasticity important in psychiatry?

Answer 2

It significantly impacts the manifestation and progression of clinical symptoms in many psychiatric illnesses

Question 3

What’s structural neuroplasticity?

Answer 3

Changes in neuronal morphology (shape, structure and physical characteristics of neurons), cellular structures and connectivity

Question 4

What’s functional neuroplasticity?

Answer 4

Dynamic changes in synaptic responsiveness, presynaptic neurotransmitter release, and intracellular signaling pathways

Question 5

What’s a critical period?

Answer 5

A developmental phase when the brain is highly responsive to specific environmental stimuli, with long-lasting effects on neural pathways

Question 6

what’s a sensitive period?

Answer 6

A time during development when the brain is particularly responsive experiences, but not rigidly constrained as critical periods

Question 7

How does GABA influence critical periods?

Answer 7

GABA helps regulate the start and stop of critical periods by balancing excitatory and inhibitory signals in the brain

Question 8

How is neuroplasticity linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD)?

Answer 8

Aberrant neuroplasticity (unusual/ abnormal changes in the brain’s ability to adapt and recognise) in ASD often involves early brain overgrowth and an imbalance of excitation and inhabition

Question 9

What structural changes are common in the brains of children with ASD?

Answer 9

By age 2-4 their overall brain volume is approx 10% larger than typically developing children

Question 10

What role does GABA play is ASD?

Answer 10

Reduced GABAergic inhibition leads to lower signal-to-noise ratios, affecting neural processing and development

Question 11

What is an excitation/ inhibition imbalance?

Answer 11

A disruption in the balance of excitatory and inhibitory signals, leading to excessive or diminished neuronal a neuronal activity

Question 12

Which conditions are associated with excitation/inhibition imbalance?

Answer 12

ASD

Epilepsy

Schizophrenia

Alzheimer’s disease

Parkinson’s disease.

Question 13

How does early adversity affect brain development?

Answer 13

Can lead to epigenetic changes and disruptions in emotion regulation, increasing the risk of psychopathology

Question 14

How does trauma affect amygdala reactivity?

Answer 14

Maltreated youth show greater activation in the left amygdala and reduced activity in regions involved in cognitive control.

Question 15

What’s the difference between tolerable and toxic stress?

Answer 15

Tolerable - managed and can be recovered from

Toxic - leads to prolonged disruptions in brain development

Question 16

How does CBT reshape synapses?

Answer 16

CBT can reduce excessive neural reactivity in the amygdala –> promoting functional neuroplasticity in anxiety and social disorders

Question 17

What brain changes were observed in anxiety patients after CBT?

Answer 17

Reduced amygdala reactivity and improved emotion regulation

Question 18

where does adult neurogenesis occur in the brain?

Answer 18

In the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the hippocampus and the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles

Question 19

What happens to human hippocampal neurogenesis over time?

Answer 19

It drops sharply after childhood and becomes undetectable in adults

Question 20

How does transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) influence neuroplasticity?

Answer 20

High frequency TMS increases neuronal activity

Low frequency TMS reduces neuronal excitability

Question 21

How might TMS benefit individuals with ASD?

Answer 21

It may stabalize cortical hyperplasticity by potentiating inhibitory mechanisms

Question 22

why is early intervention cruicial in neuroplasticity-based therapies?

Answer 22

Early experiences have long-lasting effects on brain structure and function, influencing outcomes in conditions like ASD and PTSD

Question 23

How does experience shape neuroplasticity?

Answer 23

It stabilises frequently used synapses and prunes those that are unused, influencing learning and memory

Question 24

What factors can disrupt neuroplasticity?

Answer 24

Malnutrition, emotional stress, oxidative stress, and immune challenges

Question 25

What is the relationship between neuroplasticity and psychopathology?

Answer 25

Aberrant neuroplasticity can contribute to conditions like ASD, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders, but targeted therapies can help reshape neural circuits.

Question 26

Why does the ability to change brains decrease over time?

Answer 26

Neuroplasticity is most robust during critical periods in early life and diminishes with age.