plasticity and functional recovery of the brain Flashcards
plasticity
refers to the ability of the brain to change/ adapt its functionality and/or physicality as a result of experience and new learning
plasticity info
the brain is in a continual state of change from growth in early years to change and refinement in adulthood as a result of learning and experience
plasticity - synaptic pruning
neural pathways that are used are strengthened and the pathways that are not used are lost in a process called synaptic pruning
Maguire et al evidence for plasticity ao2 PEE
p = there is research supporting plasticity provided by Maguire et al.
E = they studied the brains of London taxi drivers using MRI snd found significantly ,more grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than the matched control group. this part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills.
E = this supports plasticity because the learning experience and the length of time in the job results in a more pronounced structural difference in brain.
Draganski et al evidence for plasticity AO2 PEE
P = there is further supporting evidence for plasticity
E = Draganski et al imaged Brians of medical students 3 months before and after final exams
E = this supports plasticity because learning induced changes were seen in the posterior hippocampus and parietal cortex, as a result of learning for the exam
functional recovery of the brain after trauma
example of plasticity
where unaffected areas of the brain are sometimes able to adapt or compensate for areas that have become damaged
can happen quickly after trauma (spontaneous recovery) or take a while
there are several factors affecting recovery: age, gender, educational attainment, physical factors (stress, alcohol)
additional therapy may be needed to support recovery - physiotherapy or rehab
functional recovery of the brain after trauma - what happens in the Brian during recovery?
the brain can rewire and reorganise by forming new synaptic connections.
secondary neural pathways that would not typically carry out specific functions enable functioning to continue. process is supported by structural changes:
- axonal sporuting
- denervation supersensitivity
- recruitment of homologous areas
functional recovery of the brain after trauma - what happens in the Brian during recovery? - structural changes, axonal sprouting
growth of new nerve endings which connect with other undamaged cells to form new neuronal pathways
functional recovery of the brain after trauma - what happens in the Brian during recovery? - structural changes, denervation super sensitivity
axons that do a similar job become aroused to a higher level to compensate for the ones that are lost
functional recovery of the brain after trauma - what happens in the Brian during recovery? - structural changes, recruitment of homologous areas
the opposite side of the brain takes over specific tasks
plasticity AO3 - limitation - plasticity is possible negative behavioural consequences
E - the brain’s adaptation to prolonged drug use leads to poorer cognitive functioning later in life as well as an increased risk of dementia. Also, 60-80% of amputees have phantom limb syndrome
E - therefore, this suggests that the brain’s ability to adapt to damage is not always beneficial and may lead to physical of psychological problems
plasticity AO3 - strength - it may be a life-long ability
E - Ladina Bezzola et al demonstrated how 40 hours of golf training produced changes in the neural representations in participants aged 40-60. Using FMRI, motor cortex activity in the novice golfers reduced compared to a control group, suggesting a greater efficiency after training.
E - this shows that neural plasticity can continue throughout the lifespan
functional recovery AO3 - strength - its real-world application
E - understanding plasticity has led to neurorehabilitation. Understanding axonal growth encourages new therapies. For example, constrain-induced movement therapy involves massed practise with an affected arm while unaffected arm is restrained.
E - this shows that research into functional recover helps medical professionals know when interventions can be made
neural plasticity AO3 - limitation - may be related to cognitive reserve.
E - Schneider et al looked at the time brain injury patients had spent one education (indicated their cognitive reserve) and their chances of a disability-free recovery. 40%v of patients who achieved recovery had more than 16 years of education compared to about 10% of patients who had less than 12 years.
E - this suggest that cognitive reserve is a crucial factor in determining how well the brain adapts after trauma
