plasticity

Question 1

what is plasticity?

Answer 1

Brain’s tendency to change and adapt (functionally and physically) as a result of experience and new learning

Question 2

what happens in our brain as we age?

Answer 2

rarely used are deleted, frequently used are strengthened

Question 3

what is this called?

Answer 3

synaptic pruning

Question 4

research into plasticity?

Answer 4

Maguire (2000), brains of LDN taxi drivers, more volume of grey matter in hippocampus than control group, shows that learning alters structure of brain

Question 5

ao3 negative plasticity?

Answer 5

limitation
Medina et al 2007
adaptation to drug use lowers cognitive function later in life and increases risk of dementia, -ve concequences

Question 6

ao3 age and plasticity?

Answer 6

strength
Bezzola et al 2012
40hrs golf training changes neural representation of movements in ppts aged 40-60 in fmris
increased motor cortex activity compared to control group.
plasticity continues with age

Question 7

ao3 seasonal brain changes? plasticity

Answer 7

strength
environmental impact, suprachiasmatic nucleus shrinks in animals in spring and expands in autumn, not humans