Brain Plasticity and Functional Recovery

• What is the term used to describe the brain's ability to adapt?

  Plasticity
• How does the brain adapt to changes in the environment?

  By making changes to its function and structure
• What can cause neuronal cell death in the brain?

  Stroke and brain swelling
• What is functional recovery after brain damage?

  • Healthy brain areas compensate for lost functions
  • Involves functional reorganization of the brain
  • Damaged areas' functions are taken over by other areas
• What happens to neuronal pathways with repeated use?

  They become stronger
• What is synaptic pruning?

  Removal of unused neuronal connections
• At what stage of life is synaptic pruning most active?

  In newborns and children
• What is axonal sprouting?

  Formation of new axons from neuronal cell bodies
• What is innervation supersensitivity?

  Increased sensitivity of remaining axons
• How does age affect functional recovery after brain damage?

  Younger individuals recover better than older ones
• What role does rehabilitation play in recovery?

  Focused effort improves recovery chances
• What was the focus of McGuire's 2000 study?

  London taxi drivers' brain structure
• What did McGuire's study find about taxi drivers' brains?

  Increased volume of grey matter in the hippocampus
• What does EB's case study illustrate about brain recovery?

  Extreme trauma can be compensated by reorganization
• What happened to EB after his hemispherectomy?

  He almost fully recovered his language ability
• What is a significant finding from EB's fMRI scans?

  His right hemisphere functioned like a typical left hemisphere
• How can understanding brain recovery help physiotherapists?

  • Aids in regaining lost function
  • Promotes independence in patients
  • May improve economic outcomes by returning patients to work
• What factors contribute to individual differences in recovery?

  Cognitive reserve, IQ, and educational background
• Who is Phineas P. Gage?

  A man who survived a severe brain injury
• What happened to Phineas P. Gage during his accident?

  A tamping iron pierced his skull
• What does Phineas P. Gage's case demonstrate about the brain?

  The brain's resilience to damage
• How long did Phineas P. Gage live after his accident?

  12 years
• What were some of the effects on Phineas P. Gage after his injury?

  Facial paralysis and temper changes