Lecture 14: Neuroplasticity

Question 1

What is neuroplasticity?

Answer 1

The brain has the ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural pathways and connections throughout life based on need to adapt

Question 2

Brain Development

Answer 2

Synaptogenesis: by age 2-3 the number of synapses per neuron increases to about 15000
Synaptic pruning: by adulthood the no of synapses is halved
- Make components -> connect components -> prune connections

Question 3

Synaptic Pruning

Answer 3

• brain prunes away unnecassary neuronal structure, material and connections in order to make a more refined and efficient brain
• pruning starts at birth and continues until sexual maturation
• Microglia monitor and interact with synapses to modulate circuit formation and function (can phagoctyose weak synapses)

Question 4

Hebbian Theory

Answer 4

‘neurons that fire together, wire together’
- an increase in synaptic efficacy arises from the presynaptic cell’s repeated and persistent stimulation of the post synaptic cell

Question 5

Neurogenesis in Adults

Answer 5

• Olfactory bulb and hippocampus

Question 6

Critical Period

Answer 6

• time when experience and neural activity that reflects that experience have maximal effect on the acquisition or skilled execution of a particular behaviour

Question 7

Physical exercise

Answer 7

• aerobic exercise shown to promote adult neurogenesis through increasing the production of neurotrophic factors
• Consistent aerobic exercise over a period of several months shown to induce substantial improvements in executive function and increased grey matter volume in multiple brain regions eg. prefrontal cortex and hippocampus