Plasiticity and Functional Recovery

Question 1

Define plasticity

Answer 1

The brains ability to adapt and change because of experiences
Research shown that the brain creates new neural pathways and alter existing ones in response to changing experiences

Question 2

What is functional recovery

Answer 2

Brain transfers functions of damaged areas of the brain to undamaged parts for normal functioning to carry on

Question 3

Functional recovery can happen due to axonal sprouting and neuronal unmasking explain

Answer 3

Axonal sprouting:
- formation of new synapses and strengthening of axonal connections between damaged and healthy areas of brain
Neuronal unmasking:
-inactive synapses open connections to compensate for a nearby damaged area of brain- new connections in the brain is activated

Question 4

AO3 plasticity and functional recovery

Answer 4

+practical value
-application to the findings of neurohabilitation- motor therapy can counteract negative effects on motor functions
—functional recovery ability decreases with age
-found the capacity of neural recognition is much greater in children then for adults-neural recognition is less effective in older brains
+reseach support by Davidson et al
- Buddhist monks meditates -permanent change in brain- greater activation of gamma waves- coordinate neural activity
+ research support by Kuhn et al
-playing video games makes different cognitive and motor demands- found increase in grey mattar in regions of brain after playing 30 mins a day over 2 months- video games lead to new synaptic connections