Lecture 4: Clinical Practice II: Chapter 5 Flashcards
When is spontaneous recovery possible?
12-14 weeks after brain injury
What 3 things does spontaneous recovery depend on in brain injuries?
- Severity
- Location
- Type
When does the most recovery happen?
In the first 3-6 months after recovery
What is neuroplasticity?
The ability of the brain to modify itself functionally or structurally in response to injury (spontaneous) or under influence of stimulation and treatment (experience-dependent)
Does neuroplasticity occur in healthy people as well?
Yes, all kinds of learning experiences result in these neuronal changes throughout life
What are 2 reasons for spontaneous recovery?
- Diffuse and redundant connectivity
- Cortical reorganization
What is diffuse and redundant connectivity?
Following injury, recovery takes place by activating other areas within a network
What is cortical reorganization?
New structural and functional connections between cortical areas take over certain functions
What is the timetrack of behavioral recovery?
First you have neurological recovery in the first few months. Behavioral recovery comes next
What is recovery?
Improvement in function compared to the time of the injury
What is premorbid functioning?
The way someone functioned before the injury
When does neurological recovery in the form of regeneration of brain tissue cease?
After a year
What is the Kennard principle of neuroplasticity?
Recovery is better after an injury at a young age, because the brain is more plastic during childhood
What is some evidence on the Kennard principle of neuroplasticity?
Evidence indicates poorer recovery ofter brain injury at young age. Young individuals with TBI have the worst prognostic
What is meant with the double hazard in TBI in children?
The worst prognosis must be anticipated for the combination of severe brain injury and young age
What is the difference between direct and indirect symptoms?
Direct: loss or change in behavior or cognitive process as a direct consequence of damage (e.g. slowness of info processing)
Indirect: attempt by patient to deal with this impairment
What determines the patient’s ability to cope with impairments? (3)
- Premorbid functioning
- Coping skills
- Social support
What is the difference between adaptive and maladaptive coping?
Adaptive: avoid situations that involve overstimulation
Maladaptive: avoid all situations and sink into passivity
What are the 2 recovery levels?
- Neurological: recovery of direct symptoms
- Psychological: recovery of indirect symptoms
What is the restorative approach to rehabilitation?
Achieve recovery at the brain level
What is the compensatory approach to rehabilitation?
Achieve recovery at psychological level (current focus)
What are the 2 approaches to rehabilitation?
- Restorative
- Compensatory
What is growing into deficit?
Young children often don’t show lack of functions, but at a later age, when these functions should normally appear, serious deficiencies are noticed