plasticity and functional recovery evl Flashcards
Research support from animal studies (plasticity)
Kempermann et al found evidence that rats housed in complex environments increase the number of new neurons in their brains than those housed in less complex environment. In particular they found increased neurons in the hippocampus which is responsible for navigational skills. Supports as it show evidence that the brain changes as a result of experience
(can be Lv4 if u talk about strengths of using lab studies because they used lab cages for the rats )
Plasticity can be negative
Medina et al found that prolonged drug use has been shown to result in poorer functioning as well as an increased risk of dementia later on. Ramachandran and Hirstein found that amputees develop phantom limb syndrome where you continue experiencing sensations in the missing limb as if it was still there. these are thought to be due to cortical reorganisation in the somatosensory cortex.
Age and plasticity
Plasticity generally decreases by age but Bezzola demonstrated how 40 hours of golf training produced changes in the neural representation of movement in ppts aged 40-60. Using fMRI, researchers observed reduced motor cortex activity in the novice golfers compared to a control group. supports as it shows that neural plasticity does continue throughout life
Educational attainment and functional recovery
education influences how well the brain functionally adapts after injury. Schneider et al found that the more time people with brain injuries spent in education was an indicator of their cognitive reserve. Two fifths of ppts who achieved DFR had more than 16 years of Edu compared to 10% of ppts who had less than 12 years. supports as it shows that through experience such as edu can help the brain during functional recovery.
animal research into functional recovery
Tajiri et al provided evidence for the role of stem cells in the recovery from brain injury. They randomly assigned rats into two groups. One group received transplants of stem cells in the region that was recovering. Control group received a solution infused into the brain containing no stem cells. Found that brains of the stem cell rats showed clear development of neuron like cells in the area of injury. supports as it shows the important role of stem cells in recovery from brain injury.
