Plasticity and functional recovery of the brain after trauma & ways of investigating the brain. Flashcards
What is brain plasticity?
The brains ability to change and adapt its structure and functions as a result of experience and new leaning also referred to as neuroplasticity.
What is Functional recovery?
The redistribution an transference of functions which were performed by the damaged areas following traumatic brain injury. This can be the result of learning memory or trauma.
What is cortical remapping?
Formation of new neural pathways.
What is adapting?
A change based on need/trauma.
What is synaptic pruning?
Your synapses shrink when they are no longer needed. For example wen you are 3 you have twice as many synapse than when you are older because the connection is no longer needed. It us known as windowing down on unused information.
What is functional memory?
Functional recovery is the transfer of functions from a damaged area of the brain after trauma, to other undamaged areas.
What are some examples of functional recovery?
1 recruitment of homologous area- areas which haven’t been used before, using exciting structure to function in a different way.
2 Axonal sprouting-Growing a new nerve ending. Creating- a new pathway.
3 Reformation of blood vessels-Giving support and reinforcing the new
neural pathways with blood vessels.
What is Neuronal unmasking?
-Functional recovery can take place through a process termed neuronal unmasking, Where ‘dormant’ synapses, open connections to compensate for a damaged area of the brain.
How many people have strokes?
-1 in 6 People have stokes in their lifetime will have a stroke.
What is a weakness of research into brain plasticity?
A weakness of research into brain plasticity is the brain’s ability to rewire itself could have maladaptive rather than functional consequences. Medina Et al. found that prolonged drug use has been shown to result in poorer cognitive function as well as increased chance of dementia later in life. Therefore, Not all plasticity can be described as functionalist and more research is needed into negative plasticity to develop understand in.
What is a strength in Brain plasticity?
One strength is practical applications can be made from research into plasticity and functional recovery to help those recovering from brain damage. Numerous studies have shown that constraint-induced movement therapy produces cortical reorganisation resulting in regained or improved function. Therefore, patients with brain damage leading to less of function can undergo neuro rehibition to region function e.g aphasia patients can learn how speak again by playing games requiring them to speak.
What is FMRI? functional magnetic resonance imaging.
-detecting changes in the blood oxygenation and flow that occurs as a result of neural activity in the brain. They produce 3D images showing which parts of the brain are involved in a particular mental processing helping understand brain localisation.
What is EEG Electroencephalogram.
This measures electrical activity within the brain via electrodes that are fixed to an individual’s scalp using a skull cap. It record brainwaves generated from neurons. It can be used to help diagnose epilepsy.
What is ERPS? Event related potentials.
These are wave pattern data from EEGS which change in response to a stimulus. If stimuli is present, it produces a specific change in the wave pattern.
What is post-mortem examinations?
involves dissecting the brain of a person who has died. This allows an investigation into the internal structure of the brain.
