Plasticity and functional recovery

Question 1

what is the brain

Answer 1

brain is not a static organ and the function and process of the brain can change as a result of experience and injury

Question 2

what is brain plasticity

Answer 2

brains ability to change and adapt because of experience. Research has demonstrated that the brain has created new neural pathway and alter existing ones in response to changing experience

Question 3

how do our neural pathways develop as we grow older

Answer 3

the amount of neural pathway decrease because its not needed/not used so theres. Synaptic connections peak at around 2-3 yrs

Question 4

what is synaptic pruning

Answer 4

as we age rarley used connections are deleted and frequently used connections are strengthened enables lifelong plasticity where new neural connections are formed in response to new demands in the brain

Question 5

what did ELeanor study

Answer 5

brains of London taxi drivers

Question 6

what did she find

Answer 6

that there was more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group

Question 7

what does the posterior hippocampus control

Answer 7

associated with development of spatial and navigational skills

Question 8

what was the procedure of this research

Answer 8

As part of their training they have to take a complex test called The knowledge which assess their recall of the streets of London

Question 9

what is an example of neural plasticity

Answer 9

functional recovery make occur in the brain after trauma

Question 10

what happens during functional recovery that may occur in brain after trauma

Answer 10

healthy areas of the brain may take over functions of areas that are damaged

Question 11

how long can this process last

Answer 11

occur quickly after after trauma and slow down after several weeks or months . At this point the individual may require rehabilitation therapy to further their recovery

Question 12

what happens in the brain during recovery

Answer 12

able to rewire and reorganise itself by forming new synaptic connections close to the area of damage. Secondary neural pathways that would not be typically used to carry out certain functions are activated to allow functioning to continue

Question 13

what are the structural changes in the brain

Answer 13

axonal sprouting
denervation super sensitivity
recruitment of homologues area

Question 14

what is axonal sprouting

Answer 14

growth of new nerve endings which connect with other undamaged cells to form new neuron pathways

Question 15

what denervation super sensitivity

Answer 15

Axons that do a similar job becomes aroused to higher level to compensate for the ones that are lost

Question 16

what is recruitment of homologues area

Answer 16

the opposite site of the brain take over specific tasks .g language production

Question 17

what is a strength

Answer 17

may be life long ability
Ladina Benzzola et al demonstrated how 40 hrs of golf training produced changes in the neural representation in participants aged 40-60
Using FMRI motor cortex activity in the novice golfers reduced computer to a control group suggesting greater efficiency after training
This shows that neural plasticity can continue throughout the lifespan

Question 18

what is a Limitation

Answer 18

possible negative behavioural consequences
the brans adaption to prolonged drug use leads to poorer cognitive functioning later in life as well as an increased risk of dementia
60-80% of amputees have phantom limb syndrome
this suggests that the brains ability to adapt and damage is not always beneficial and lead to physical and psychological problems