Plasticity And Functional Recovery After Trauma Flashcards
Define trauma
In terms of the brain
How the brain can be damaged
What are 5 examples of trauma to the brain
Swelling
Physical trauma
Cerebral hemorrhage
Cerebral ischemia
Viral or bacterial infection
Why is swelling of the brain a trauma
Caused by initial trauma can also lead to further complications
Example of physical trauma
Wounds to skull
Why is a cerebral hemorrhage a trauma
Blood vessel in the brain bursts causing a lack of blood supply and cranial pressure
Why is cerebral ischemia trauma
Blood vessels are blocked reducing blood supply
What do viral or bacterial infections cause
Destruction of brain tissues
I.e meningitis
What is neuroplasticity
How the brain responds to experiences by altering its organization, creating pathways for new information
What is synaptic pruning
The brain can develop new connections and prune weak ones
TRUE or FALSE neuroplasticity only happens after you turn 25
FALSE
it can happen at any age
However it does decline as we get older
Why are younger people quicker to adapt
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
Who investigated neuroplasticity
Draganski et al
What was the procedure of Draganski investigation into neuroplasticity
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
What did draganski find when investigating neuroplasticity
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
What did Draganski conclude from his investigation from neuroplasticity
Learning a new task can change the structural layout of the brain creating new connections with the learning of new tasks
What is meant by Functional Recovery
How the brain changes after trauma
What are the 3 types of Functional Recovery
Neural reorganization
Neural regeneration
axonal sprouting
What is neural reorganization
When the brain cells are damaged other parts of the brain take over their functions
True or false:
Neural reorganization can lead to dormant synapses reactivating
True
They can reactivate when they receive more neural input than previously
what is neural regeneration
this refers to the brain regenerating and building new neurons
what is axonal sprouting
can be seen where surviving neurons grow new branches to make synapses in areas of the brain formerly supplied by damaged neurons.
what is a strength of plasticity and functional recovery after trauma
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
weakness of plasticity and functional recovery after trauma
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
