brain placticity

• What does plasticity refer to in the context of the brain?

  It refers to the brain’s ability to adapt and change in response to trauma, new experiences, and learning.
• How does the idea of plasticity oppose the previous theory regarding neuronal connection formation?

  Plasticity suggests that new neuronal connections can form throughout life, contrary to the idea of a 'critical window' in early childhood.
• What is synaptic pruning?

  It is the process by which extra neurons and synaptic connections are eliminated to increase the efficiency of neuronal transmissions.
• What did Maguire et al. (2006) find in their study of London taxi drivers?

  They found a larger grey matter volume in the mid-posterior hippocampi and a lower volume in the anterior hippocampi.
• What is the relationship between grey matter volume and the duration of being a taxi driver according to Maguire et al.?

  There is a positive correlation between increasing grey matter volume and the longer individuals have been taxi drivers.
• What does the conclusion of Maguire et al. suggest about spatial representation and the hippocampus?

  It suggests that a complex spatial representation associated with greater posterior hippocampal grey matter volume may come at a cost to new spatial memories in the anterior hippocampus.
• What is functional recovery in the context of brain trauma?

  It is the ability of the brain to transfer functions from damaged areas to healthy parts, allowing normal functioning to continue.
• What mechanisms enable functional recovery?

  They include the law of equipotentiality, axonal sprouting, reformation of blood vessels, and recruiting homologous areas on the opposite side of the brain.
• What does the law of equipotentiality state?

  It states that secondary neural circuits surrounding a damaged area become activated to help restore function.
• What is an example of negative plasticity according to Ramachandran's research?

  Phantom limb syndrome, where sensory input from the face activates deafferented hand zones in the cortex.
• How does Jodi Miller's case illustrate positive plasticity?

  She was able to control the right side of her body despite having her entire right hemisphere removed, demonstrating neuroplasticity.
• What evidence supports the existence of both positive and negative effects of neuroplasticity?

  Research by Ramachandran et al. shows negative plasticity in phantom limb syndrome, while Jodi Miller's case demonstrates positive plasticity.
• What did Hubel and Weisel (1970) discover about kittens and neuroplasticity?

  They found that activity in the left visual cortex occurred even when the right eye was sutured, indicating brain adaptability.
• What happens when the right eye of kittens is closed for a short period?

  It leads to a sharp decline in the number of cells that can be driven from both eyes during a critical period.
• What is cognitive reserve?

  Cognitive reserve refers to the level of education a person has attained and the duration of their education.
• How does cognitive reserve affect functional recovery after trauma?

  Increased cognitive reserve is associated with a higher likelihood of achieving a disability-free recovery due to enhanced neuroplasticity.
• What did Schneider et al. (2014) find regarding education and recovery?

  They found that individuals with more years of education had higher rates of disability-free recovery after trauma.
• What are the limits of spontaneous and functional recovery?

  The brain can only repair itself to a certain extent, after which therapies are needed to enhance recovery rates.
• What did Lieperta et al. (1998) find about constraint-induced movement therapy?

  They found that it significantly improved the motor performance of stroke patients.
• What are the key mechanisms of functional recovery in the brain?

  • Law of equipotentiality: activation of secondary neural circuits
  • Axonal sprouting: formation of new synapses
  • Reformation of blood vessels: increased blood flow to activated areas
  • Recruitment of homologous areas: using opposite side of the brain
• What are the differences between positive and negative plasticity?

  Positive plasticity:

  • Leads to beneficial outcomes
  • Example: Jodi Miller's recovery

  
  

  Negative plasticity:

  • Leads to harmful outcomes
  • Example: Phantom limb syndrome