Plasticity And Functional Recovery

Question 1

What is plasticity

Answer 1

When the Brian changes or adapts functionally and physically as a result of experiences and new learning

Question 2

What is one form of plasticity

Answer 2

Functional recovery

Question 3

What is functional recovery

Answer 3

When the brain changes, redistributes or transfers functions from one area to another as a result of change and trauma

Question 4

What did gopnick et al study

Answer 4

Connections in babies brains

Question 5

What did gopnick et so discover

Answer 5

The peak of synaptic connections is at age 2-3 with 15 000 connection, this difference is the result of a process called synaptic pruning

Question 6

Def of synaptic pruning

Answer 6

Synaptic connections that we don’t use very much are deleted, and those we do use are made stronger

Question 7

How does maguire show plasticity in the brain

Answer 7

Scanned brains of London taxi drivers to find the longer they spent in the job, the greater the structural difference compared to a control group, showing brain adapts to experience

Question 8

How does draganski show plasticity in the brain

Answer 8

Brain scans before and after medical exams showed changes in the parietal cortex shown as the medical students learn, the brain changes as it gets stronger

Question 9

How did mechelli show plasticity in the brain

Answer 9

Lather parietal cortex in bilingual brains compared to people with one language, strengthens connects associated with parietal cortex

Question 10

What is spontaneous recovery

Answer 10

When there is quick recovery after the trauma. This can slow downs several weeks or months which is when rehabilitation may be required to help further recovery

Question 11

Brain processes during recovery of function

Answer 11

The brain seems able to rewrite itself by forming new synaptic connections near to the area that is damaged

Question 12

Who supports structural changes in the Brian

Answer 12

Doidge - unmasking of neural pathways

Question 13

How does doidge support structural changes in the brain

Answer 13

Secondary neural pathways not typically used for the damaged function are activated or unmasked so that the functioning can continue

Question 14

What are the 4 structural changes in the brain during functional recovery

Answer 14

Atonal sprouting, reformation of blood vessels, recruitment of homologous areas, denervation supersensitivity

Question 15

Axonal sprouting

Answer 15

Undmaged axons grow new nerve endings to reconnect neutrons whose links have been damaged or severed

Question 16

Reformation of blood vessels

Answer 16

Blood vessels reform to support other changes

Question 17

Recruitment of homologous area

Answer 17

Similar areas in the opposite hemisphere of the brain carry out the functions of the damaged area

Question 18

Denervation supersensitivity

Answer 18

Axons that do a similar job to the ones that have been damaged become aroused to a higher compensate - can lead to problems eg oversensitivity to pain

Question 19

4 evaluation points of plasticity

Answer 19

Practical applications of research into neuroplastcity, plasticity can have negative consequences, explanations need to account for individual differences, seasonal brain changes

Question 20

Elaboration of practical application of research into neuroplasticity

Answer 20

• neurohabilitaion aids recovery when spontaneous recovery has slowed down
• research has contributed to therapies to strengthen neural pathways
• we do this by repeating movements using damaged areas and stimulating the brain
• can be used with therapy for greater effect

Question 21

Elaboration of plasticity can have negative consequences

Answer 21

• evidence shows brain adapts due to prolonged drug use leads to poorer cognitive functioning later life
• 60-80% amputees develop phantom limb syndrome
• which is when you experience unpleasant sensations of missing limbs
• suggesting brain ability to adapt the damage is not always beneficial

Question 22

Elaboration of explanations need to account for individual differences

Answer 22

• neural plasticity can continue due to individual differences
• one difference effects plasticity in cog reserve when level of education affects recovery rates
• Schneider found the longer a patient with brain injury spent in education, they are less likely to gain a disability

Question 23

Elaboration of seasonal brain changes

Answer 23

• seasonal plasticity in response to environmental changes
• eg the SCN that regulates sleep and wake cycle shrinks in animals and expands in autumn
• supportive evidence