Plasticity And Functional Recovery After Trauma

Question 1

Define trauma

In terms of the brain

Answer 1

How the brain can be damaged

Question 2

What are 5 examples of trauma to the brain

Answer 2

Swelling
Physical trauma
Cerebral hemorrhage
Cerebral ischemia
Viral or bacterial infection

Question 3

Why is swelling of the brain a trauma

Answer 3

Caused by initial trauma can also lead to further complications

Question 4

Example of physical trauma

Answer 4

Wounds to skull

Question 5

Why is a cerebral hemorrhage a trauma

Answer 5

Blood vessel in the brain bursts causing a lack of blood supply and cranial pressure

Question 6

Why is cerebral ischemia trauma

Answer 6

Blood vessels are blocked reducing blood supply

Question 7

What do viral or bacterial infections cause

Answer 7

Destruction of brain tissues
I.e meningitis

Question 8

What is neuroplasticity

Answer 8

How the brain responds to experiences by altering its organization, creating pathways for new information

Question 9

What is synaptic pruning

Answer 9

The brain can develop new connections and prune weak ones

Question 10

TRUE or FALSE neuroplasticity only happens after you turn 25

Answer 10

FALSE
it can happen at any age
However it does decline as we get older

Question 11

Why are younger people quicker to adapt

Answer 11

Their neuroplasticity is more efficient as they’re younger compared to older people who can still adapt at the same level but it takes longer

Question 12

Who investigated neuroplasticity

Answer 12

Draganski et al

Question 13

What was the procedure of Draganski investigation into neuroplasticity

Answer 13

22 females 3 males split into 2 groups,
Group 1: learnt to juggle for 3 months
Group 2: did nothing

They had an initial scan to determine original brain size

By the end of the 3 months must be able to juggle for 60 secs

Question 14

What did draganski find when investigating neuroplasticity

Answer 14

After 3 months of training their was significant differences between groups brain size

After 6 months there was still a difference between the groups even after not performing the skill — however smaller than the 3 months scan

Question 15

What did Draganski conclude from his investigation from neuroplasticity

Answer 15

Learning a new task can change the structural layout of the brain creating new connections with the learning of new tasks

Question 16

What is meant by Functional Recovery

Answer 16

How the brain changes after trauma

Question 17

What are the 3 types of Functional Recovery

Answer 17

Neural reorganization
Neural regeneration
axonal sprouting

Question 18

What is neural reorganization

Answer 18

When the brain cells are damaged other parts of the brain take over their functions

Question 19

True or false:
Neural reorganization can lead to dormant synapses reactivating

Answer 19

True
They can reactivate when they receive more neural input than previously

Question 20

what is neural regeneration

Answer 20

this refers to the brain regenerating and building new neurons

Question 21

what is axonal sprouting

Answer 21

can be seen where surviving neurons grow new branches to make synapses in areas of the brain formerly supplied by damaged neurons.

Question 22

what is a strength of plasticity and functional recovery after trauma

Answer 22

P: maguire foudn that taxi drivers who has to learn the new info of the knowledge test has enlarged hippocampi compared control groups
E: this demonstrates the plasticity of the brain as their additional requirement for spatial and visual knowledge has meant that their brain has grown in response to their needs
L: this would suggest that neuroplasticity. plays a role in recovery after trauma as it responds to the needs of the individual

Question 23

weakness of plasticity and functional recovery after trauma

Answer 23

P: there are methodological issues with research into neuroplasticity
E: Many of the research pieces use inference to suggest that the cause of brain growth is due to manipulated IV
E: it could be argued that there is a lack of control in p.t life outside experiment, we cant be sure if the participant is engaging in extra activities that may impact brain development
L: we must be cautious when interpreting the findings of research in this field due to lack of control