Plasticity

Question 1

What is Brain Plasticity?

Answer 1

• Ability to change & adapt as a result of experience & new learning
• Synaptic pruning - rarely used connections = deleted
  - used connections = strengthened

Question 2

What research was involved in the plasticity study?

Answer 2

• Maguire (2000)
• Studied brains of London taxi drivers
• Found more volume of grey matter in posterior hippocampus
• Took “The Knowledge” test

Question 3

State the strength of the plasticity study

Answer 3

• Practical Application : Neurohabilitation
• Following injury to brain - spontaneous recovery slows down
• Forms of physical therapy requires to maintain improvements in functioning

Question 4

State the limitation of the plasticity study

Answer 4

• Negative Plasticity
• Brains ability to rewire itself can have behavioural consequences
• E.G = prolonged drug use = poorer cognitive functioning