Neural Plasticity Flashcards
What does neural plasticity mean?
The brain’s ability to change and adapt, as a result of new experience and learning
Approximately how many synaptic connections does an infants brain grow to and at what age?
15,000 at about 2-3 years old
What is synaptic pruning?
When rarely used connections are deleted and frequently used connections are strengthened
What was Maguire et al (2000)?
Quasi experiment using tructural MRIs of London based taxi drivers (16) compared with matched control group of non taxi drivers(50), found that taxi drivers had significantly larger posterior hippocampi. Hippocampal volume correlated with amount of time spent as a taxi driver.
What is the posterior hippocampus associated with?
Spatial and navigational skills
Maguire A03 summary
Strengths:
MRI scans are objective
Real world applications (Implications for brain recovery after damage)
Limitations:
Limited sample size, only male
Opportunity sample, pps may have been atypical/had particularly good knowledge
Correlation not causation
What happens in the brain during recovery?
Neurogenesis- creation of new neurone in parts of the brain
Synaptogenesis- creation of new neural connections
Long term potentiation- strengthening of synapses through recurring activities like studying or practicing
Recruitment of homologous areas on opposite hemispheres to do specific tasks
Practical applications?
Understanding processes involved in plasticity has contributed to the field of neurorehabilitation, allows us to assist the brain in repairing itself successfully
Support from animal research?
Sewed kittens eye shut and analysed brain’s response, found area of visual cortex associated with shut eye continued to process information from open eye, demonstrates how loss of function leads to compensatory activity in brain
Negative consequences?
Can have negative consequences, e.g. 60-80% of amputees develop phantom limb syndrome, continue to feel pain in missing limb
Localisation limitation?
Some parts of the brain are specific for certain functions, such as Wernicke’s and Broca’s area
