Motor Learning

Question 1

Plasticity Defined

Answer 1

the modifiability the brain with short term changes in efficiency & strength and long term changes in organization and number
-it is environmentally dependent neuronal reorganization

Question 2

2 conditions under which plasticity occurs

Answer 2

• adaptive mechanism of injury (damage)
• typical brain development (beginning of life & adulthood )
• ->critical period in first 1-2 yrs in which certain skills must be learned or they will never be formed

Question 3

Plasticity: Learning Occurs when…

Answer 3

• internal changes w/in synapses (amy of NT released) of the neurons occur
• increase in the number of synapses b/t neurons

Question 4

Functional plasticity

Answer 4

brains ability tome functions
–>when an are of the brain has damage, need to move function so another area can take over/compensate for that damage/loss

Question 5

Structural plasticity

Answer 5

ability to changes structure w/ inc synapses or cortical re-mapping

Question 6

Acquisition of Skills: brain during critical period

Answer 6

• always “on”
• unregulated change in response to overflow of stimuli
• mass synaptic formation (very little/no synaptic pruning)

Question 7

Acquisition of Skills: brain during adulthood

Answer 7

• periods of “off”
• able to generate reliable & coordinated responses
• synaptogenesis and pruning are more balanced

Question 8

Recovery of Function

Answer 8

recovery= requisition of skills
function= complex neuronal activity related to the performance of a task

Question 9

Things impacting recovery of function…

Answer 9

• age
• neurotropic factors
• pre/post injury factors
• characteristics of lesions

Question 10

plasticity & recovery of function d/t Injury occurs at many levels…

Answer 10

• intracellular level
• intercellular level
• network level
• brain level
• biochemical level
• genetic level

Question 11

After injury may see: Denervation of Supersensitivity

Answer 11

hypersensitivity to stimuli of the post-synaptic cell following damage

Question 12

After injury may see: Unmasking of Silent Synapses

Answer 12

brains ability to recruit synapses infrequently used when “primary synapses” are damages

Question 13

After injury may see: neuronal Regeneration

Answer 13

new growth of neurons

Question 14

After injury may see: Collateral Sprouting

Answer 14

synapses from surrounding area “sprout” over into the damaged area to compensate

Question 15

Recall Schema

Answer 15

selection of specific responses among past movement outcomes

Question 16

recognition schema

Answer 16

evaluation of response against past movement outcome

Question 17

Theories of motor Learning

Answer 17

• Schmidts schema theory

- Ecological theory

Question 18

Schmidts Schema Theory

Answer 18

• motor learning is an ongoing process of recall and recognition
• variability of practice will improve this motor learning
• RULE BASED
• ->does not account for immediate acquisition of motor skills

Question 19

Ecological theory

Answer 19

Use of perceptual cues to perform the most efficient outcome–>perceptual info drives motor info
ex. drinking from a glass, need to know what force to use & how far away the cup is from our mouth…

Question 20

Limitations to ecological theory

Answer 20

newer theory, not much evidence to support it

Question 21

Clinical Implications of ecological theory

Answer 21

• repeated practice under varying conditions

- using relevant perceptual cues to create OPTIMAL motor strategies

Question 22

Fits & Posners 3 stages of motor learning

Answer 22

Cognitive: what has to be done? assessment of the task
Associative: how to do it best? refinement of motor pathways
Autonomous: how to succeed? movement planned at higher levels