Lecture 1 Recovery of function

Question 1

What is neural plasticity

Answer 1

The capacity for neurons to structurally and functionally adapt.

Learning dependent
Experience dependent
Use dependent

Question 2

What is an example direct neurophysiologic consequence of injury?

Answer 2

Tissue damage

Question 3

What are some indirect neurophysiologic consequences?

Answer 3

Changes in blood flow
Metabolic Changes
CSF flow
Edema
Diaschisis
Orthograde degeneration 
retrograde degeneration

Question 4

What is functional Recovery?

Answer 4

Improved function following injury

Doesn’t distinguish between movement strategies and or underlying processes used for function

Question 5

What is neural recovery?

Answer 5

Neurophysi level

Funcitoning relies on to original (pre-injury) processes

Question 6

For recovery of motor control, what is skill reacquisition?

Answer 6

Spontaneous return to original processing

Experience-dependent (repeated practice)

Question 7

What is the behavioral level for recovery of motor control?

Answer 7

Perform previously lost or impaired movement or task exactly the same prior to injury

Question 8

What is the neurophysiological level for recovery of motor control?

Answer 8

Restoration of motor function within an area of the motor cortex that was initially lost after injury

Question 9

What is the behavioral level for Compensation?

Answer 9

Use of new movements or movement sequence to perform a task different than used before injury

Question 10

What is the neurophysiological level for compensation?

Answer 10

Areas of the motor cortex adapt to take on motor functions lost after the injury

Question 11

What is restoration?

Answer 11

Re-engaging neurally intact areas affected indirectly by lesion.
Spontaneous recovery
Explains why paralyzed limb moves norm after period of non use

Question 12

What is recruitment?

Answer 12

Enlisting motor areas with capacity to contribute to lost motor function by may not normally have been contributing before injury

Not necessarily acquiring new function

Question 13

What is retraining?

Answer 13

Motor cortex adapts existing function or takes on NEW functions to support functional improvement.

Ex lost digit representation re-emerge in areas of the motor cortex that used to contain elbow or shoulder representations

Question 14

List individual(patient) factors influencing the recovery of function after neural injury.

Answer 14

Age- Neuroplasticity gets worse as you age
Weight
Pre injury factors
Lesion size
Rate of lesion development
Altered force control
Visual/somatosensory impairments
Cognition

Question 15

List environmental factors influencing the recovery of function after neural injury.

Answer 15

Pharmacologic
Environmental enrichment (opportunity to learn, physical activity, social interaction)
Clinician training and expertise