Plasticity and functional recovery of the brain

Question 1

How does the brain change during infancy

Answer 1

Rapid growth of synaptic connections
(15,000 per neuron at 3 years= 2X adult amount)

Question 2

How does the brain change as we age

Answer 2

Rarely-used connections deleted/frequently used strengthened (synaptic pruning)

Question 3

Does synaptic pruning enable lifelong plasticity?

Answer 3

YES

Question 4

What is the posterior hippocampus associated with

Answer 4

The development of spatial and naviagtional skillls

Question 5

Maguire et al (2000) study of London taxi driver’s brains

Answer 5

Found more grey matter in PH- increased with years in job
-Learning so many routes had altered their brain structure

Question 6

Draganski et al study of medical student’s brains

Answer 6

Imaged brains before/after exam
-After= learning-induced changes in the posterior hippocampus/parietal cortex

Question 7

Functional recovery

Answer 7

Unaffected areas of brain adapt and compensate for damaged areas
-neural plasticity

Question 8

What is meant by spontaneous recovery

Answer 8

Functional recovery happens quickly after trauma
-Slows down after many weeks/months, then maybe need rehabilitative therapy

Question 9

What are the three steps of functional recovery

Answer 9

Axonal sprouting
Denervation super sensitivity
Recruitment of homologous

Question 10

Axonal sprouting

Answer 10

Growth of new nerve endings connect with other nerve cells to make new neuronal pathways

Question 11

Denervation supersensitivity

Answer 11

Axons with similar job aroused to higher level to compensate for the ones that were lost
-Can cause oversensitivity to pain

Question 12

Recruitment of homologous

Answer 12

Similar areas on opposite side of brain take over damaged areas tasks

Question 13

Weakness of brain plasticity

Answer 13

May have negative behavioural consequences
-e.g 70% amputtes develop phantom limb syndrome
= not always beneficial

Question 14

Strength of brain plasticity

Answer 14

May be life-long
-e.g Bezzola et al: 40 hours of golf training increased motor cortex activity in 40-60 year-olds

Question 15

Strength of functional recovery

Answer 15

Real-world application in field of neurorehabilitation
-e.g constraint induced movement therapy for axonal growth after stroke- practise using affected part of body while unaffected is restrained

Question 16

Weakness of functional recovery

Answer 16

Level of education may influence rate
-e.g Schneider et al (2014): ppl with +16 years education had 30% higher chance of disability free recovery from brain injury than - 12 years education

Question 17

What is plasticity

Answer 17

Brains tendency to change and adapt due to learning, usually growth of new connections