Plasticity Flashcards
define plasticity
When the brain changes or adapts functionally and physically
other names for plasticity
neuroplastcity
cortical remapping
plasticity - why does the brain change?
experience + new learning
define functional recovery
when the brain changes, redistributes or transfers functions from one area to another
what is functional recovery?
a form of plasticity
functional recovery - why does the brain change?
damage + trauma
Who did research on plasticity?
Gopnick et al (1999)
What did Gopnick et al study?
the connections in babies brains
Gopnick et al findings:
during infancy - brain rapidly grows synaptic connections
what is the no. of synaptic connections at 2-3yrs old?
15,000
how much synaptic connections does a baby have compared to an adult?
2x
define synaptic pruning
when synaptic connections that are not used are deleted, the others are made stronger
Name 3 researches that showed neural connections change / form at a different stage
1) Maguire et al (2000) - London Taxi Drivers
2) Draganski et al (2006) - medical students
3) Metchelli et al (2004) - bilingual brains
Explain Maguire et al’s London Taxi Driver research
found taxi drivers had increased grey matter in hippocampus
(more time spent, greater structural difference
Explain Draganski et al’s - medical students
scanned brains before + after exam
found changes in hippocampus + parietal cortex
