Plasticity & Functional Recovery of Brain

Question 1

what is plasticity

Answer 1

brains ability to change/adapt because of experience = create new/adapt neural pathways
e.g. driving car, playing instrument

Question 2

outline Maguire et al’s plasticity research (2000)

Answer 2

• studied brain of London taxi drivers = had taken ‘The Knowledge’
• found greater volume of grey matter in posterior hippocampus compared to control group
• longer time in job = more pronounced structural diff

Question 3

what is functional recovery (after trauma)

Answer 3

transfer of functions from a damaged area of the brain after trauma to other undamaged area

Question 4

what happens to the brain during recovery

Answer 4

brain reorganises itself
= mitigates new synaptic connections close to area of damage, which take over function of damaged area
- neuronal unmasking = formation of secondary neural pathways, which activate previously ‘dormant’ neurons
= enable functioning to continue

Question 5

pros of research into plasticity

Answer 5

IRL APP
- Maguire’s research = insightful for treating people with brain damage
FURTHER RESEARCH SUPPORT
- study results supported by Draganski (2006) = learning induced changes in posterior hippocampi and parietal cortex when compared 3 months before and after final exams

Question 6

pros of research into functional recovery

Answer 6

IRL APP
- contributed to field of neurorehabilitation = help stroke patients etc

Question 7

when are changes to the brain most likely to occur

Answer 7

during adulthood and childhood, mostly within childhood – peaking at 3yrs.

Question 8

role and structure of hippocampus

Answer 8

plays important role in information of new memories and spatial navigation

• left and right hippocampi
  = divided into 3 parts
  1. Anterior (front)
  2. Body (middle)
  3. Posterior (back)

Question 9

what does Maguire’s research show about brain plasticity

Answer 9

• shows learning experience alters brain structure
• looks as if, when extra demands put on brain = it can “borrow” cells from less-used areas to “build up” much-needed areas
• suggest posterior hippocampus role in spatial navigation

Question 10

cons of research into plasticity

Answer 10

LOW GENERALISABILITY
- London taxi drivers used = all male, 16 of them
Gives no info on brain plasticity in females = unrepresentative
NEGATIVE PLASTICITY
= research assumes plasticity always positive
- Medina et al = prolonged drug use leads to poorer cognitive functioning in later life
- 60-80% amputees = phantom limb syndrome = unpleasant/painful sensations

Question 11

cons of research into functional recovery

Answer 11

LOW GENERALIASABILITY
- tend to use small sample sizes = low population validity