Plasticity And Functional Recovery Flashcards
What is plasticity in relation to the brain?
The ability to modify its own structure and function as a result of experience and new conditions
Who completed a study in about brain plasticity?
Boyke et al.
Outline Boykes study into neuroplasticity
- found evidence of brain plasticity in 60 year olds
- They were taught how to juggle
- this led to an increase in grey matter in the visual cortex
- however when practice stopped, the changes were reversed
What does an increase of grey matter mean in the brain?
An increase of neuronal activity
What does Boykes study show?
-provides evidence against the idea of cognitive decline with age
What is synaptic pruning?
- Connections being lost due to lack of use or the action becoming an automatic reflex
What is synaptic bridging?
Where new connections are made due to use and new stimuli
What did Kuhns study show?
Video games can increase brain activity
Outline Kuhns study
- Got ppts to play super Mario for at least 30 minutes a day over a 2 month period
- They found a significant increase in grey matter in the experimental group compared to the control group
What is Functional Recovery?
- A form of plasticity
- The ability to transfer functions to undamaged areas from damaged areas
What is spontaneous recovery?
When functional recovery happens quicker straight after the injury, this will then slow down over time
