Plasticity and functional recovery of the brain after trauma

Question 1

Plasticity

Answer 1

this describes the brains tendency to change and adapt as a result of experience and new learning

Question 2

research into plasticity

Answer 2

MAGUIRE - London taxi drivers - more volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in a matched control group. –> this part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals.
- the longer they’ve been in the job, the more pronounced was the structural difference (a positive correlation).

Question 3

Functional recovery

Answer 3

a form of plasticity
- following damage through trauma, the brain’s ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area(s) to other, undamaged area(s).

Question 4

What happens in the brain during recovery?

Answer 4

The brain is able to rewire and reorganise itself by forming new synaptic connections close to the area of damage.
Secondary neural pathways that would not typically be used to carry out certain functions are activated or ‘unmasked’ to enable functioning to continue.

This process is supported by a number of structural changes in the brain functioning:

• AXONAL SPROUTING: the growth of the new nerve endings which connect with other undamaged nerve cells to form new neuronal pathways
• REFORMATION OF BLOOD VESSELS
• RECRUITMENT OF HOMOLOGOUS AREAS: on the opposite side of the brain to perform specific tasks. An example would be if Broca’s area was damaged on there left side of the brain, the right-sided equivalent would carry out its functions. After a period of time, functionality may then shift back to the left side