Plasticity Flashcards
what is Plasticity
Ability of neurons to change their structure andfunction in response to a variety of internal andexternal pressures, including behavioral (motorskill) training.”
is the human nervous system functional at birth
yes, Human nervous system functional at birth (see, hear,breathe, suckle)
our rough draft of the NS is enhance by what process
experience-dependentreorganization.
when is plasticity heightened
during critical periods of life
what is the Uncinate fasciculus
Long range white matter tract
Connects limbic regions in the temporal lobe to frontal lobe
when does the Uncinate fasciculus finish developing
Latest developing tracts, matures into 30s
Atypical development of UF seen with what
social deprivation,Autism spectrum disorders, substance abuse
Syndactyly
Congenital fusion of the fingers
Cortical map of hand is reduced overall
Representation of the fingers isn’t organizedsomatotopically.
Phantom limb sensation
scar of nervous tissue instump caused the pain; reorganization of corticalcircuits
Remapping, face and upper arm cortical areas expand
LTP
Long lastingincrease in the amplitude of the excitatory postsynaptic potentials.
Retrograde messenger
influence a greater release from the pre-synaptic membrane
Synaptic effectiveness
Followingcortical injury, edema can compressthe cell body or axon, produces alocal ischemia, interferes with neuralfunction.
Once the edema lessens/resolves, normal neuronal function is restored.
Denervation hypersensitivity:
Newreceptor sites appear on the postsynaptic neuron, makes it morereceptive to nearby undamagedneurons
Synaptichypereffectiveness
After loss ofsome synapses, the remaining branch(s)releases more neurotransmitter than itnormally would have, post synaptic neuronis facilitated.
Unmasking silent synapse:
Normally unused synapses/connections become activated.
