Plasticity and localisation of function Flashcards
plasticity
refers to the ability of the brain to change and adapt its structures and processes as a result of experience and new learning. Research has shown that your brain is continuously creating new connections as a response to experiences you make throughout your life.
infancy plasticity
brain experiences a rapid growth in number of synaptic connections it has, peaking at around 15,000 at the age of 2-3 years. As we age, the connections we rarely use are deleted, or become dormant, and the ones we frequently use strengthen-synaptic pruning.
-Researchers used to think it only occurred in childhood, but we continue to prune throughout life.
plasticity research
• Kühn et al. 2014
• Control vs. Video Game training group.
-30mins/day.
• Significant increase in grey matter.
-Areas involved in spatial navigation, strategic planning, motor performance.
functional recovery
• A form of Plasticity
• Areas of the brain adapt and compensate after a trauma -Redistribute functions usually
performed by the damaged area to
undamaged areas.
what happens during functional recovery
-Brain forms new synaptic connections close to area of damage- finding a different route. Secondary neural pathways not typically used to carry out certain functions are activated or unmasked to enable functioning to continue .
-New connections-secondary pathways-Doidge (2007)
-Axonal sprouting-growth of new nerve endings which connect to other, undamaged nerve cells to form new neuronal pathways
-reformation of blood vessels-supply area of the brain with blood
-recruitment of homologous areas on opposite sides of the brain to perform specific tasks.
strength-research
Supporting evidence for the impact of experience on neural connections is provided by Maguire et al.
(2000)
In her research it was found that London taxi drivers have significantly more grey matter in their posterior hippocampus, which is an area involved in the development of spatial and navigational skills than in a matched control group.
As part of their training, London cabbies must take a complex test called “The Knowledge”. The test involves them knowing streets, shortcuts, landmarks etc. within a mile radius of Charing Cross.
Furthermore, more experienced cab drivers the more pronounced the neural connections were.
This suggests that as a result of this learning experience the brain structure of the cab drivers was altered, which provides research support for brain plasticity.
strength-practical applications
Understanding the processes involved in plasticity and functional recovery has practical applications in the field of neurorehabilitation.
Following illness or injury to the brain, spontaneous recovery tends to slow down after a number of weeks. Due to this, a form of physical therapy may be needed to maintain improvements in functioning.
Techniques may include movement therapy and electrical stimulation of the brain to counter the deficits in motor and/or cognitive functioning that may be experienced following a stroke, for instance.
Although this shows that the brain sometimes needs help if it to “fix itself” completely and successfully, it also shows that the research has been used to improve treatment for people who have suffered trauma to their brain, thereby increasing their chances of disability free recovery.
