plasticity and functional recovery Flashcards
What is plasticity? (2-4m)
- brain’s ability to change and adapt its structures and processes
- as a consequence of experience and new learning
What is synaptic pruning?
- during infancy brain experiences rapid growth in number of synaptic connections - peaks at approx 15,000 at 2/3 years - twice as many as adult
- as we age, connections not used regularly deleted
- ones used regularly strengthened
- research suggests existing neural connections can change
- or new neural connections formed between neurones as result of learning and experience
AO1 for research investigating plasticity
- Maguire et al (2000)
- studied brains of London taxi drivers
- greater volume of grey matter in posterior hippocampus in those been taxi driver for long time
- compared to those only been taxi driver for short time
- difference was due to greater knowledge of roads
- structure of brain been altered by new experiences = plasticity
(posterior hippocampus = spatial + navigational skills)
AO3 for research investigating plasticity
P - RTS plasticity - from Maguire et al (2000)
E - studied brains of London taxi drivers
E - found those been taxi drivers for long time - greater volume grey matter in area responsible for spatial and navigational skills - posterior hippocampus - comparison to those only been taxi driver short time
L - so supports plasticity suggests the change in structure of brain altered by experiences and knowledge of roads
What is functional recovery?
- type of plasticity
- refers to recovery of abilities and mental processes
- been affected as a result of brain damage or disease
- brain able to rewire itself
- form new synaptic connections close to damaged area
- secondary neural pathways not typically used activated so enable functioning continue
- process creates number of structure changes in brain
What is functional recovery?
- type of plasticity
- refers to recovery of abilities and mental processes
- been affected as a result of brain damage or disease
- brain able to rewire itself
- form new synaptic connections close to damaged area
- secondary neural pathways not typically used activated so enable functioning continue
- process creates number of structure changes in brain
Axonal sprouting
- growth of new nerve endings
- connect with undamaged nerve cells
- from new neuronal pathways
Recruitment of homologous areas
- areas from opposite side of brain
- take over function of damaged area
- e.g. if Broca’s was damaged in LH right side equivalent carry out its function
What affects recovery after trauma?
Perseverance
Age
Gender
Education
Stress and alcohol
Perseverance
- takes great deal of effort recover from trauma
- research shows some ppl appear to lose function
- but reason may be that person not trying
- as they believe its unrecoverable
Age
- younger people more likely to recover from damage
- than older individuals (40+)
- a deterioration of the brain in old age affects extent and speed of recovery
Gender
- evidence on gender differences is mixed
- some research suggest females more likely to recover than males (as stronger connection in corpus callosum)
Education
- Schneider et all (2014)
- found more time ppl with brain injury had spent in education greater chance of disability free recovery
- 40% those who achieved disability free recovery had 16+ years in education
- compare to 10% had 12- years
- so education can affect plasticity of brain and reduce functional recovery
Stress and alcohol
- takes great deal of effort to regain ability to function
- stress and alcohol can make it more difficult
AO3 for plasticity and functional recovery: RTS by patient EB
P - RTS - case study on patient EB
E - EB suffered brain damage - resulted in removal LH therefore language centres
E - however, after some time regained some language ability - not possible if brain completely lateralised
L - suggest EB;’s brain experienced recruitment of homologous areas - demonstrates brain can adapt to produce language even when LH not present - supports plasticity and FR
