Neurophysiology - Neuroplasticity Flashcards
Neuroplasticity - Definition
Process of adaptation of the brain, structural and functional. Ability of the nervous system ti change its activity in response to intrinsic and/or extrinsic stimuli by recognizing its structure, function and connection.
What are the 3 possible outcomes after injury, due to neuroplastic processes?
Beneficial: restoration of function after injury.
Maleficial: Leading to pathological consequences. (PTSD).
Neutral: Supporting an unknown/not yet understood reorganization process.
We have to make sure the connections we are maintaining are useful to us, otherwise we are just wasting
What are the 3 possible outcomes after injury, due to neuroplastic processes?
Beneficial: restoration of function after injury.
Maleficial: Leading to pathological consequences. (PTSD).
Neutral: Supporting an unknown/not yet understood reorganization process.
We have to make sure the connections we are maintaining are useful to us, otherwise we are just wasting energy.
What are the 3 pillars of Neuroplasticity?
Development -> Reorganization -> Reparation ->
Process of development, reorganization and reparation of the nervous system to adapt to intrinsic and/or extrinsic changes in a physiological or pathological context.
Which are the 2 major neuroplastic mechanisms and their subcategories?
Regeneration/sprouting:
- Synaptic plasticity
- Neurogenesis
Functional Reorganization:
- Equipotentiality
- Vicariation
- Diaschisis
Regeneration/Sprouting - Synaptic Plasticity
Ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken their connections. Adapt neurotransmitters, over time we create or disrupt connections.
Regeneration/Sprouting - Neurogenesis
Development of new cells of the nervous system.
Not very strong in us, we can’t really create new neurons.
Functional Reorganization - Equipotentiality
Ability to transfer functional memory from a damaged to an undamaged part of the brain.
Functional Reorganization - Vicariation
Ability of one part of the brain to substitute for the function of another (damaged).
Functional Reorganization - Diaschisis
Adaptive change of one part of the brain, in the presence of damage to a different, more distant part. Neurons transfer to other parts of the brain, so the ability to process info in those areas increases.
Neural Reorganization
Happens when we learn something on top of something we have already learned. Making skills more complex or changing completely knowledge that we had.
Neuron Clustering
Groups of neurons (nodes) in a similar position, that are involved in similar activities. Belong to a bigger network. Some of the neurons (called hubs) connect nodes to each other in order to perform a certain activity.
The more we develop a skill, the more the neurons overlap, the more potential we have of developing other skills.
Overlapping of Representation Areas - Injury
If you have skills requiring upper limb, you have recruited neurons from other areas of the brain. If you injure brain areas controlling upper limb, you recover faster than a lower limb dominant person because you have been using neurons from other areas of the brain for upper limb functions.
Neurotrophic Factors - Definition
Molecules responsible for initiating neural structural development and maintenance under stimulation.
Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDFN) - Location, Production and Function
Most found in cerebral cortex, hippocampus and basal nuclei.
Production and release increased during learning, memory consolidation and reasoning.
Develop and maintain neural structures.
Glial Cell Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) - Production, Function and Main GDNF
Produced and released by glial cells.
Assure cell survival, growth, differentiation and migration.
Growth Neurotrophic Factor (GNF) main GDNF. Prevents apoptosis of motor and dopaminergic neurons.
What are the 4 categories involved in the support of neuroplasticity?
Self Strategy
Sensory augmentation
Cognitive load
Substances (can be good or bad)
Supporting Neuroplasticity - Strategy
Allowing the nervous system to deal with inputs (receive, combine and interpret) to create its own output. Greater learning effect with significantly better motor outcomes if individuals develop motor strategies themsleves.
Supporting Neuroplasticity - Sensory Augmentation
We perform movements better if we locate our body in space -> need to receive more information from our body -> Joint approximation, clear visual references in the environment and body, increase noise from the feedback of the task.
Supporting Neuroplasticity - Cognitive Training
Use of cognitive aspects like attention (dual task), memory and reasoning show significant impact in motor learning processes, reducing recovery time.
Helps make skill less conscious and more “automatic”.
Supporting Neuroplasticity - Substances
Many drugs have a negative effect: pain and psychiatric medication.
Some drugs support neuroplasticity through a neuroenhancement process. Developed to support treatment of certain diseases or to reduce risk of developing a disease. Controversial!
Neuroenhancement - Definition
Process of making use of substances to modulate mood, improve cognitive and/or social abilities.
Some legalized like antidepressants, nicotine for neuroprotective therapy in Parkinson’s.
Can be addictive.
