Neuroplasticity and Amblyopia

Question 1

neuroplasticity

Answer 1

the ability of the brain to change, for better or for worse throughout life

involves forming neuronal connection in response to stimuli

Question 2

synaptic plasticity

Answer 2

changes in the strength of connections between synapses

Question 3

synaptogenesis

Answer 3

creation of groups of synapses - builds connections between neurons respectively

Question 4

neuronal migration

Answer 4

process whereby neurons extend from their place of birth to connect to far-reaching areas of the brain

Question 5

neurogenesis

Answer 5

creation of new neurons - occurs more in children than in adults

Question 6

neural cell death

Answer 6

neurons die from damage, over-excitation, or disease -

Question 7

brain remodeling

Answer 7

repetition, correct fundamentals, authentic environment

Question 8

perceptual learning

Answer 8

phenomenon which causes an improvement in performing a particular task accurately by practicing it for several times

takes more time

Question 9

motor learning

Answer 9

phenomenon that causes an improvement in motor skills with practicing

takes less time

Question 10

Hebbian learning

Answer 10

“synaptic plasticity” two cells that are repeatedly active at the same time will tend to become “associated” with each other - increase efficacy

Question 11

short term plasticity

Answer 11

primarily functional and synaptic changes

Question 12

long term plasticity

Answer 12

needs persistent structural modifications

Question 13

NMDA (N-methyl, D-aspartate)

Answer 13

mediates bidirectional plasticity

Question 14

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

Answer 14

required for a critical period

Question 15

BDNF (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor)

Answer 15

decreases inhibition and can shift critical period back

Question 16

structural plasticity

Answer 16

changes in neuronal morphology - long term/new system

suppression and creation of synapse and genesis of new neurons and neurites

Question 17

tPA (tissue plasminogen activator)

Answer 17

plays a role in structural plasticity

Question 18

CSPGS (Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans)

Answer 18

inhibit axonal growth

Question 19

critical period

Answer 19

plasticity maximum - has maximum effect (beneficial or detrimental)

Question 20

critical period

Answer 20

plasticity maximum - has maximum effect (beneficial or detrimental)

Question 21

amblyopia

Answer 21

“lazy eye” - vision in one eye is reduced because the eye and the brain are not working together properly

Question 22

3 major causes of amblyopia

Answer 22

defocus, strabismus, deprivation of stimuli

Question 23

functional abnormalities in amblyopia

Answer 23

slower binocular reading, reduced fine motor skills, reduced motor performance in manual dexterity

Question 24

impaired monocular visual function of amblyopia

Answer 24

acuity, reduced contrast sensitivity, spatial distortion

Question 25

impaired binocular visual function of amblyopia

Answer 25

suppression, impaired or absent stereopsis

Question 26

color vision changes in amblyopia

Answer 26

significant changes in red/green cone function

Question 27

Is amblyopia primarily pavo, magno, or konio-cellular

Answer 27

Parvocellular

Question 28

critical period of visual development

Answer 28

birth to 6 month

Question 29

sensitive period

Answer 29

6 months to 8 years

Question 30

susceptible period

Answer 30

8 to 18 years

Question 31

residual plasticity period

Answer 31

18 years through adulthood

Question 32

improving amblyopia in adults

Answer 32

perceptual learning task

Question 33

hebbian competition

Answer 33

stronger input signals are favored/unused are pruned

Question 34

normal binocular development requirement

Answer 34

binocular visual experience AND aligned visual axes

Question 35

location of amblyopic deficit

Answer 35

LGN - reduced grey matter

Question 36

amblyopia - loss of which contrast response - high or low?

Answer 36

high (parvo deficit)

Question 37

crowding

Answer 37

multiple stimulus = difficult focus = reduced performance

need a single letter chart to test VA - difficult reading multi-letter snellen chart