A03

• Point: A limitation of plasticity is that it may have negative behavioural consequences

  Evidence: For example, research shows estimates that 60-80% of amputees have developed phantom limb syndrome, where they continue to experience sensations of the missing limbs.

  Explain: This is due to the cortical reorganisation in the somatosensory cortex, following the loss of a limb, and leads to unpleasant sensations.

  Link: Therefore, this seems to suggest that the brain’s ability to adapt to damage might not always be beneficial.
• Point: A strength of plasticity is that it may be a life-long ability of the brain.

  Evidence: Bezzola (2012) has shown that 40 hours of golf training resulted in changes in the brain associated with movement in participants aged 40-60.

  Explain: This means that the researchers, using fMRI, were able to measure increased motor cortex activity in the novice golfers compared to a control group.

  Link: Therefore, this suggests that brain plasticity continues throughout a person’s lifespan.
• A strength of functional recovery research = real-world application.

  Evidence: For example, the understanding of axonal growth has encouraged new therapies to be tried and contributed to the field of neurorehabilitation.

  Explain: Such as constraint-induced movement therapy for stroke patients where their unaffected arm is restrained while they repeatedly practise using their affected body part.

  Link: Therefore, this functional recovery research has shown to be useful as it allows medical professionals to develop new therapeutic interventions to help patients following brain damage.
• Point: A limitation of functional recovery is that level of education may impact recovery rates.

  Evidence: For example, Schneider (2014) has shown that people with a brain injury are more likely to achieve disability-free recovery (DFR) if they spend longer in education.

  Explain: The results showed that 40% of those who had more than 16 years of education achieved DFR compared to 10% of those who had less than 12 years of education.

  Link: Therefore, this suggests that people that have an insufficient level of education are less likely to achieve a full recovery, following a brain injury.