Plasticity (and Functional Recovery after Trauma) Flashcards
In a question about functional recovery, can you talk about plasticity?
No because functional recovery is an example of plasticity.
In a question about plasticity, can you talk about functional recovery?
Yes because functional recovery is an example of plasticity.
How does plasticity change with age?
The younger you are, the more plastic your brain is, the older you are the less plastic your brain is, but it is still able to change.
Is plasticity a positive or a negative?
Can be either.
what are some examples of how plasticity can be seen as negative (2 examples)?
Prolonged drug use leading to poorer cognitive functioning.
Old age being associated with dementia.
What does brain plasticity mean?
The brains ability to adapt and change as a result of experience.
What are the 3 factors affecting brain plasticity?
1 - Life experience.
2 - Video games.
3 - Meditation.
What is the basic thing attached to life experience as a factor affecting brain plasticity?
Specific skill = specific area.
Who did study into life experience as a demonstration of brain plasticity?
What did he do?
Boyke.
Taught 60 year old how to juggle.
What did Boyke find when teaching 60 years olds to juggle? Life experience as a demonstration of brain plasticity?
An increase in the visual cortex and when they stopped, this reverted back.
What is the basic finding attached to video games as a factor affecting brain plasticity.
Video games can increase neural connections.
Who did the study into video games as a factor affecting brain plasticity?
What did he do?
Kuhn.
Ppts played Super Mario for 30 mins every day for 2 months.
What did Kuhn find when doing his Super Mario study into video games as a factor affecting brain plasticity?
A significant increase in several areas of the brain vs not in a control group.
What is the basic finding attached to meditation as an factor affecting brain plasticity?
Meditation can lead to a change in electrical activity in the brain.
Who did research into meditation as a factor affecting brain plasticity?
What did he do?
Davidson.
Measured gamma rays in monks and volunteers who had never meditated before.
