Plasticity and Functional Recovery AO3

• Plasticity


  The brain's ability to develop as a result of experience
• Taxi drivers


  Research supports plasticity (Maguire)
• The knowledge


  Negative plasticity (Medina)
• Drug use


  Poorer cognitive functioning and dementia
• The brain can develop as a result of experience, but not always good
• Phantom limb syndrome


  Trauma can take place, and the opposite hemisphere plays a part
• However, other factors than just the opposite hemisphere may play a part
• Age


  Capacity for neural reorganisation much higher in children than in adults - regeneration perhaps less effective in older brains
• Education


  16 years of education leads to 40% disability free recovery, less than 12 years leads to 10% disability free recovery
• Neurorehabilitation, understanding plasticity and FRE, has led to development of motor therapy and electrical stimulation to the brain to counter the negative effects of accidents/strokes on motor and cognitive functions