neural plasticity Flashcards
what is neural plasticity?
the brains ability to change at any age - for better or for worse
neural plasticity can result from
stress, emotions, physical activity, social interaction, diet, new experiences, trauma
why is neural plasticity so important?
plays an important role in our brain development or decline eg personalities
adaptive plasticity
- the reorganisation of neural connections in response to learning new information
OR - to compensate for lost functions
which ages show greater plasticity?
children’s
eg children can learn language faster than adults
developmental plasticity
- process of strengthening new activated neural connections through experience with the environment
what is the 5 stages of developing neurons? (PMSSM)
- proliferation
- migration
- synaptogensis
- synaptic pruning
- myelination
proliferation
- mostly formed when born
- growth and division of neurons
migration
movement of new cells by moving along fibres and chemical trails
- ends around 5 months of age
synaptogensis
when axons of new neurons grow out to target cells and form synapses with them
synaptic pruning
the excess neurons and synapses are eliminated to reduce the number of ineffective neurons
myelination
when axons of a new neuron in a Childs brain are covered in myelin to help protect and speed up electrical signals
rerouting
new neural connections are made between neuron and other active neurons
sprouting
growth of new dendrites enable neuron to form new connections with others
amygdala
helps response to the environment
- hormones target the amygdala
what happens when the amygdala is in control (adolescence)
it responds directly to emotions
when does the prefrontal cortex have a growth spurt?
ages 3-6
