Neuroplasticity 2.0 Flashcards
Neuroplasticity
The ability of neurons to change in = ?
three
Neuroplasticity (Modifiability): the ability of neurons to change in function, structure, or chemical profile (quantities and types of neurotransmitters produced).
- Plasticity can occur at synapses, neuronal circuits or neural systems.
- Plasticity lasts over a long period of time (hours, days and months) and is not periodic.
Define neuroplasticity.
Neuroplasticity is the ability of neurons to change in function, structure, or chemical profile.
Neuroplasticity can occur at
- = ?
- = ?
- = ?
Neuroplasticity can occur at synapses, neuronal circuits, or neural systems.
How long can plasticity last?
Hours, days, and months, and is not periodic.
Neuroplasticity is the basis of all functions involving changes.
- Examples include = ?
Neuroplasticity is the basis of all functions involving changes.
- Acquisition of new motor skills (e.g., children learning how to ride a bike)
- Regaining skills lost due to injury to the nervous system (e.g., patients receiving rehabilitation)
- Acquisition of cognitive skills such as language, music, learning and memory.
How can neuroplasticity affect patients after a nervous system injury?
It helps in regaining skills lost due to injury, such as through rehabilitation.
What negative impacts can neuroplasticity have?
- New onset of epilepsy due to cerebral trauma
- Chronic pain and allodynia following limb amputations are negative impacts of neuroplasticity.
Neuroplasticity encompasses three mechanisms, what are they = ?
Neuroplasticity encompasses the following mechanisms:
1) Habituation: Habituation refers to “a decrease in response to a repeated, benign stimulus” (due to a reduced amount of neurotransmitter released from the presynaptic terminal of a sensory neuron)
- Short-term and can be reversible.
- One of the simplest forms of neuroplasticity.
- 5-10 times, 5x/day
2) Experience-dependent plasticity: Complex process involving persistent long lasting changes in the strength of synapse between neurons and neuronal network . Two types of plasticity in excitatory glutamatergic synapses during learning and memory
- Long term potentiation (LTP)
- Long term depression (LTD)
3) Cellular recovery after injury: Injuries that damage axons cause. Degeneration but may not result in cell death. Some neurons have ability to regenerate the axon. Injuries that damage cell body = Cell death
- If the neuron dies, the CNS will work on altering different synapses, change neurotransmitter release and reorganize circuitry.
What is habituation in the context of neuroplasticity?
Habituation is a decrease in response to a repeated benign stimulus, a form of neuroplasticity.
How is habituation used in therapies?
Habituation techniques and exercises are used to decrease the neural response to a stimulus.
Describe the application of habituation in vestibular disorders.
Movements that induce vertigo in vestibular disorders are repeatedly applied to decrease response to dizziness.
What is experience-dependent plasticity?
Experience-dependent plasticity involves learning and memory, where persistent changes in synapse strength occur.
What are LTP and LTD?
Long Term Potentiation (LTP) and Long Term Depression (LTD) are types of synaptic plasticity in learning and memory.
Describe the cellular mechanism of LTP.
LTP involves the conversion of silent synapses to active ones by inserting AMPA receptors into the synaptic membrane.
What happens in LTD at the cellular level?
In LTD, AMPA receptors are removed from the synaptic membrane, converting an active synapse to a silent one.
How does environment affect neuroplasticity?
- Animals raised in complex environments have more dendritic branching and synapse production compared to those in non-stimulating environments.
What are the implications of body-weight supported treadmill training?
It helps patients regain function and is an example of experience-dependent plasticity in clinical settings.
What are stepping pattern generators?
- Central / stepping pattern generators (CPG) located within the spinal cord assist with flexion/extension locomotor gait pattern
- They are neural inputs in the spinal cord that produce rhythmic outputs contributing to stepping and locomotor gait patterns.
Explain the role of the cortex in walking post-injury.
The cortex assists in postural control and adapts movements to the environment, critical for walking post-injury.
What are metabolic effects of brain injury?
Following a brain injury like stroke or TBI, neurons can die from lack of oxygen or excitotoxicity caused by excessive glutamate.
What is the role of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in neuroplasticity?
TMS can enhance or inhibit motor learning and memory formation, depending on its frequency and protocol.
What is task-specific training in stroke rehabilitation?
Task-specific training is the systematic, repetitive practice of functional tasks within the available voluntary motion of stroke survivors.
What does the principle ‘specificity’ suggest in neuroplasticity?
‘Specificity’ suggests that the nature of the training dictates the nature of the plasticity.
Why is repetition important in neuroplasticity?
Repetition is crucial because it is required for the induction of plasticity.
How can axonal injury in peripheral neurons recover?
Damaged axons can regenerate, and new inputs can maintain function at targets deprived of input from injured axons.
