Neuroplasticity Flashcards
Neuroplasticity
Ability of the CNS to undergo structural and functional change in response to new experiences
When does neuroplasticity occur
- during development
- in response to the environment
- in support of learning
- in response to disease
- in relation to therapy
Neuroplasticity is driven by
- the genetic code
- injury
- experience
After a CNS injury or in response to pain, motor and sensory representational maps change. This is an example of:
Negative/Maladaptive Plasticity.
Where does neuroplasticity occur
the soma, axon, dendrite, and/or the synapse
can be morphological and/or physiological
occurs throughout lifespan
Types of Morphological Neuroplasticity
Neurogenesis
Angiogenesis
Neurogenesis
New cell development from neural stem cells
Angiogenesis
blood vessel proliferation stimulated by endothelial cells releasing growth factors
components of Physiological Neuroplasticity
- Synaptic efficacy
- Membrane excitability
- Blood Flow
Physiological Neuroplasticity:
Blood flow
- Neurovascular coupling
2. Plasticity is dependent on return of perfusion to an area
Neurovascular Coupling
Spatial and temporal association between blood flow to and activation of neurons (functional MRI)
Neuroplasticity at the Systems level definition
reorganization of a given region or a change in the area associated with a given function
Interventions to enhance NP
- Noninvasive brain stimulation
- deep brain stimulation
- neuropharmacology
- physical training
- aerobic exercise
- cognitive training
- rtfMRI neurofeedback (real time fMRI)
Variables that influence Neuroplasticity
- experience
- sleep
- mood
- hormones
- cardiorespiratory function
- diet
- pharmaceuticals
Experience Dependent factors of neuroplasticity
- use it or lose it
- use it and improve it
- specificity
- repetition matters
- intensity matters
- salience matters
- time matters
- age matters
- transference
- interference
use it or lose it
failure to drive specific brain functions can lead to functional degadation
use it and improve it
training that drives specific brain function can lead to an enhancement of that function
specificity
nature of the training experience dictates the nature of plasticity
repetition matters
induction of plasticity requires sufficient repetition
intensity matters
-induction of plasticity requires sufficient training intensity
salience matters
-training experience must be sufficiently salient to induce plasticity
time matters
intensive exercise performed too early may be neurotoxic
age matters
training-induced plasticity occurs more readily in younger brains
transference
plasticity in response to one training experience can enhance acquisition of similar behaviors
interference
plasticity within a given neural circuitry can impede the induction of new, or expression of existing, plasticity within the same circuitry
Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
member of neurotrophin family involved in:
- neuroprotection
- neurogenesis
key mediator of motor learning and recovery
In animal work, they found that blocking BDNF…
impaired motor learning
effect of aerobic exercise on BDNF
increases in hippocampus, cerebellum, cerebral cortex, and SC
when does BDNF increase post exercise in humans?
10-60 minutes
How does BDNF facilitate long term potentiation?
promoting dendritic growth and remodeling
Physical activity affects on brain function
- upregulation of BDNF
- NT-3
- Increased dopamine and serotonin
(indirectly through cardio, fitness, decreased inflammation, increased cerebral blood flow)
Sleep effects on brain function
- influences synaptic plasticity
2. promotes storage and consolidation of info acquired during previous waking
Mood effects on brain function
- reduction in hippocampal size seen in major depression
- mild stress can enhance learning and memory
- prolonged stress can cause retraction/atrophy of neuronal processes and neuronal loss
Hormones:
Progesterone after CNS injury can…
- reduce apoptosis
- decrease inflammation
- enhance myelination
- improve recovery of motor function
Diet
Caloric restriction can:
- increase neurogenesis
2. mitigate injury-related decreases in synaptic plasticity
Diet
curcumin can
enhance cell survival
Diet
flavanols can
promote angiogenesis, enhance synaptic plasticity
Diet
antioxidant
provide neural protection
Pharmeceuticals
- Acetylcholine can increase plasticity
- cocaine and amphetamine shown to promote synaptic plasticity in multiple regions
- amphetamine combined with enriched environment and focused training improves motor function in rats after stroke
