L8.2 - Functional Recovery

Question 1

Define functional recovery

Answer 1

Form of plasticity where the brain redistributes or transfers functions of damaged areas to others after damage from trauma

Question 2

3 types

Answer 2

Neural reorganisation
Neural regeneration
Neural unmasking

Question 3

Describe neural reorganisation

Answer 3

Transfer if functions from damaged areas to undamaged areas

Question 4

Describe neural regeneration

Answer 4

Growth of new neurons, axons, and dendrites to compensate for damaged areas by connecting to undamaged areas, forming new neural pathways

Question 5

What are dormant synapses?

Answer 5

Synaptic connections which exist anatomically but rate of input is too low to be activated

Question 6

Increased input of dormant synapses leads to what?

Answer 6

Activation of them

Opens connections to brain areas not usually activated, spreading activation

Question 7

Neural unmasking eventually leads to?

Answer 7

New brain structures developing

Question 8

How can stem cells be used?

Answer 8

Can be implanted into the brain to directly replace dead/dying cells

Question 9

+ related to rats and stem cells

Answer 9

Injected stem cells into rats with brain injuries

3 months later, neuron-like cells developed

Question 10

+ related to study

Answer 10

Researchers sewed kitten’s eye shut to measure brain’s cortical response
Visual cortex from shut eye processed info from open eye - reorganisation

Question 11

• related to neural reserve being a factor

Answer 11

Students with college education 7X more likely to be disability free from brain injury than those who didn’t finish secondary school