Plasticity And Functional Recovery Of The Brain After Trauma Flashcards
What was once believed about the brain?
It could only develop and change during infancy
What has research shown about the brain instead?
That it continues to develop and create new neural pathways and alter existing ones
What is the definition of plasticity?
The brains ability to change and adapt its structures and processes as a consequence of experience and new learning
During infancy the brain experiences rapid growth in the number of…
Synaptic connections it has
What is the peak amount of synaptic connections the brain has and when does it occur?
15,000 at age 2-3 years
How many times more synaptic connections does an infant brain have than an adult brain?
Twice as many
As we age, connections that are not used regularly are…
Deleted
Connections that we use regularly are…
Strengthened
What is synaptic pruning briefly?
The deleting of connections not used regularly and the strengthening of regularly used connections
Research suggests that at any time in life existing neural connections can change or new neural connections can be formed between neurons as a result of…
Leading and experience
Who conducted research into plasticity?
Maguire et al (2000)
Who was studied in maguires research?
The brains of London taxi drivers
What is responsible for spatial and navigational skills?
Posterior hippocampus
Where was there a greater volume of grey matter in experienced taxi drivers brains?
Posterior hippocampus
Those who had been a taxi driver for a long time had more grey matter compared to…
Those who had been a taxi driver for a short time
