Plastucity And Functional Revoery Of The Brain

Question 1

Plasticity

Answer 1

Brains ability to change and adapt its structure and processes as a consequence of experience and new learning

Question 2

Synaptic pruning

Answer 2

During infancy the brain experiences rapid growth in the number of synaptic connections

As we age connections not used regularly are deleted

Ones used regularly are strengthens this is called synaptic pruning

Research suggests neural connections can be formed between neurons as a result of learning and experience

Question 3

Functional recovery

Answer 3

Type of plasticity and referres to recovery of abilities and mental processes

That have been affected as a result of brain damage and disease

Question 4

What does the brain do in functional recovery ?

Answer 4

Brain is able to rewire itself forming new synaptic connections close to damaged area

Secondary Nueral pathways not typically used are activated to enable functioning to continue often the same way as before

This process creates number of structural changes to the brain

Question 5

Axon sprouting

Answer 5

Undamaged axons grow new nerve endings

Question 6

Recruitment of homogolous areas

Answer 6

Areas from opposite side of brain take over function of damaged area of brain

E.g if brocas was damaged in LH right side equivalent would carry out its functions

Question 7

What affects recovery after trauma ?

Answer 7

Perseverance , age , gender , education , stress and alcohol

Question 8

Perseverance

Answer 8

Takes great deal of effort to recover from trauma

Reason why person may not be trying is because they believe that it is unrecoverable

Question 9

Age

Answer 9

Young people are more likely to recover than older individuals (40 +)

There is deterioration of brain in old age which affects extent and speed of recovery

Question 10

Gender

Answer 10

Some research suggests females are more likely to recover than males

Question 11

Education

Answer 11

Schneider et al found more time people spent with a brain injury had spent in education , greater chance of a disability free recovery

Question 12

Stress and alcohol

Answer 12

Alcohol and stress can make it more difficult for an induvidual to recover

Question 13

Ao3 RTS plasticity of brain

Answer 13

From maguire et al

Studied brains of London taxi drivers

Those who had been taxi drivers for a long time had greater volume of grey matter in the area responsible for spatial and navigational skills (posterior hippocampus)

In comparison to those who had been taxi drivers for short time

Supports as it suggests change in structure of brain was altered by experience and greater knowledge of roads

Increasing validity of research into plasticity and functional recovery

Question 14

Ao3 RTS plasticity and functional recovery

Answer 14

Comes from a case study on a patient named EB

Suffered from brain damage resulted in removal of left hemisphere and thus some language centres

After some time managed to regain some of his language ability

Not be possible if brain was completely lateralised

Suggests EBs brain experienced recruitment of homologous areas demonstrates brain can adapt to produce language even when left hemisphere is not present

Supporting idea of plasticity and functional recovery

Increasing validity of research into plasticity and functional recovery

Question 15

Ao3 plasticity and functional recovery practical applications

Answer 15

Principles of the theory that it’s possible for an individuals brain to recover from damage

Through recruitment of homologous areas has lead to development of neurorehabilitarion

Where patient practices repeatedly using the affected side of the body so they can regain functioning

Which can improve quality of life

Important part of applied psychology as it helps to treat people in the real world