Plasticiity & Functional Flashcards
Define Plasticity (2)
- Ability of brain to change +adapt its structure
- As a consequence of experience + new learning
Define Synaptic Prunning (2)
- during infancy 🧠 experiences rapid growth in number of synaptic connections it has peaking at approx 15000 at age 2-3 yrs
- as we age connections not used are deleted /ones used regularly is strengthened
Outline one study into Plasticity
- Maguire
- brains of London taxi drivers studies
- greater volume of grey matter in posterior hippocampus
(responsible for spatial/navigational skills) in those who had been a taxi driver for long time compared to short time
- diff due to greater knowledge of roads which suggests structure of brain been altered by experience
Define the term functional recovery
- type of plasticity refers to recovery of abilities and mental processes such as movement/language
- have been affected as a result of brain damage
What is axonal sprouting
- growth of new nerve endings which connect with other undamaged nerve cells to form new neural pathways
What is recruitment of similar brain areas?
- example of plasticity where areas of opposite side of brain take over function of damaged area of brain
- eg Brocas area was damaged in LH the right sided equivalent would carry out its functions
which factors make recovery more difficult? P-A
- Perseverance - R shows takes great deal to recover from trauma some ppl may lose function have to be determined
- Age -younger people more likely to recover < 40
deterioration of brain in old age affects extent and speed of recovery
which factors make recovery difficult > G-S
- GENDER - evidence says R mixed but some R suggests females more likely to recover than males
- EDUCATION - Schneider found that more time ppl w brain injury had spent time in education greater their chance of DFR
- STRESS - after recovery of trauma takes great deal of effort to regain ability to function so alcohol/stress make it more diff
RTS ?
P - patient named EB
E - EB suffered from brain damage which resulted in the removal of his left hemisphere therefore lang centres
E - despite this after some time EB managed to regain some of his lang ability not be possible if lang lateralised
L - brain can adapt to produce lang even when LHS not present/functioning supporting idea of plasticity and functional recovery
Give a strength
P - PRAC APPS
- bc principles of theory that it has possible for I brain to recover from damage through axonal sprouting
> lead to dv of neurohabitilisation
- patients practice repeatedly using affected side of body
an arm whilst restraining unaffected arm
L - important area in applied psych helps treat p[pl in real world
what does this mean > strength
these ppl will be able to function better in everyday life and may mean they go and be more productive in work
increasing wages and tax payments therefore helping improve economy which then increases credibility of R investigating functional recovery of brain after trauma
