Topic 10

Question 1

what is cortical somatotopy (representations of body regions) affected by skills we learn?

Answer 1

The mapping of body parts in the brain can change based on the skill we learn. the areas representing body parts used to extensively in a particular skill will expand, while areas for underutilized body parts may shrink or be taken over by adjacent areas

Question 2

How might the somatotopic arrangement of the motor cortex differ for a soccer player compared to a piano player?

Answer 2

Soccer Player: Likely to have larger cortical representations for their legs and feet due to the constant use.

Piano player: on the other hand, would likely have larger cortical representation for their hands and fingers due to fine motor skills required for playing.

Question 3

What is cortical plasticity?

Answer 3

structural and functional reorganization of the cortical representation following injury or due to training
-injury: stroke, spinal cord injury, loss of body part
-Training: Specific training for recovery of function/ movement of a body part

Reorganization: Reduction in area/transfer to different segment-amputation
extension of area- training

Question 4

Describe the two mechanisms of plasticity we discussed

Answer 4

1. Form new connections between neurons
   - increased axon collaterals that connect to other somas ( cell body of neurons)
   -Critical periods
2. Strengthen connections between neurons
   -Dendritic spines
   
   • Synaptic boutons
     -Neurons that fire together wire together

Question 5

How might loss of sensory information result in cortical reorganization? include one of the research studies presented to support your answer.

Answer 5

When sensory input is lost, the cortical area corresponding to the affected body part may be taken over by neighboring areas.

Example: squirrel monkeys; transection of the median nerve deprives the cortex input from the glabrous surface of digits d1-d2

Question 6

How might specific training result in cortical reorganization? include one of the research studies presented to support your answer.

Answer 6

Specific training can lead to an expansion of the cortical representation of the body parts involved in the trained skill.

Example: a study in humans showed that practicing a novel sequence of thumb-finger oppositions for three weeks resulted in an enlargement of the cortical area representing the thumb and finger involved in the task. Showcasing the brain’s capacity to adapt and allocate more resources to areas engaged in demanding activities