Plasticity and functional recovery

• What is the meaning of plasticity in the context of the brain?

  Plasticity is the ability of the brain to change its structure as a result of learning or experiences.
• How has recent research changed the understanding of plasticity?


  Recent research shows that the brain creates new neural pathways throughout life, not just during infancy and childhood.
• What happens to neuronal connections when a person frequently engages in an activity?


  The more a person does an activity, the more neuronal connections are formed.
• What is the learning period for London taxi drivers known as?

  • The knowledge
• What was Maguire's hypothesis regarding taxi drivers?


  Maguire hypothesized that taxi drivers would have more developed hippocampuses than the average person.
• How many taxi drivers were involved in Maguire's study?

  16 right-handed, healthy taxi drivers were involved.
• What was the mean age of the taxi drivers in Maguire's study?


  The mean age of the taxi drivers was 44 years.
• What method did Maguire use to measure the brain structure of participants?


  Maguire used an MRI scanner to calculate the area of grey matter in the participants' brains.
• What were the findings regarding the grey matter of taxi drivers compared to the control group?


  Taxi drivers had a larger amount of grey matter in their posterior hippocampus than the control group.
• What correlation was found in Maguire's study?


  There was a positive correlation between the volume of the hippocampus and the time spent as a taxi driver.
• What is the role of the hippocampus according to the study's conclusion?

  The hippocampus is associated with memory and spatial skills.
• How does the environment influence brain structure according to the study's conclusion?


  There is a redistribution of grey matter in the hippocampus as a result of intense development influenced by the environment.
• What supporting evidence did Kuhn et al (2014) provide regarding brain changes?

  • Compared control group with video gaming group
  • Participants played Super Mario for 30 mins a day for 2 months
  • Found increases in motor cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum
  • Increased brain areas related to spatial navigation, working memory, motor performance, and strategic planning
• What did Draganski's study reveal about medical students' brains?


  Draganski found that learning induced changes in the posterior hippocampus of medical students before and after their exams.
• What are the positive implications of understanding plasticity and functional recovery?

  • Helps understand how the brain rewires for maladaptive behaviors
  • Prolonged drug use can affect cognitive functioning
  • Increased risk of dementia
  • Informs advice and treatment strategies
• What is functional recovery in the context of brain plasticity?


  Functional recovery is the redistribution of functions performed by a damaged area to an undamaged area.
• What can cause functional recovery?


  Functional recovery can occur due to a stroke or an accident.
• What is spontaneous recovery?


  Spontaneous recovery is the process that can occur quickly after trauma.
• What is required for further recovery after spontaneous recovery?


  Individuals will need rehabilitative therapy to further recovery.
• What are the two ways for the brain to recover?

  1. Stem cells
  2. Neuronal activation

  • Rewires through new synaptic connections
  • Secondary pathways become primary neural pathways
• What supports the process of neuronal activation?


  • Axonal sprouting: growth of new nerve endings
  • Reformation of blood vessels for energy
  • Recruitment of similar areas on the opposite side of the brain
• How has understanding plasticity contributed to neuro rehabilitation?


  Understanding plasticity has contributed to neuro rehabilitation by highlighting the need for further rehabilitative care after spontaneous recovery.
• What is the role of education in functional recovery?

  Evidence shows that educational attainment helps with functional recovery, with those having a university degree being more likely to be disability-free after a brain injury.
• What are the age differences in plasticity and functional recovery?

  • Plasticity reduces with age
  • Higher ability to reorganize in childhood
  • Neural plasticity continues into lifespan but is greater in children
• What was the effect of 40 hours of golf training on participants aged 40-60?


  40 hours of golf training produced changes in the neural representation of movement for participants aged 40-60.
• What is the criticism of research on plasticity and functional recovery?

  • Much research uses animals
  • Humans have higher cognitive functioning
  • Plasticity and functional recovery differ between humans and animals