topic test 2

• An acquired brain injury is brain damage caused by events after birth, rather than as part of a genetic or congenital disorder
• The prefrontal cortex has an important role in coordinating complex mental processes, including:

  logic and reasoning

  judgement

  decision-making

  personality

  • planning

  • problem-solving

  • symbolic thought

  • expression and regulation of emotions
• Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to change in response to experience or environmental stimulation.
• Neuroplasticity occurs in response to two kinds of experience:

  1. in response to ageing and the learnings associated with maturation. This is known as developmental plasticity.

  2. in response to a need to adapt, such as in response to brain trauma and injury. This is referred to as adaptive plasticity
• Synaptogenesis is the formation of synapses between neurons as axon terminals and dendrites grow.
• Synaptic pruning is the elimination of underused synapses.
• Myelination, which is the formation and development of myelin around the axon of a neuron.
• Brain trauma refers to damage to the brain that is caused by an external force. Examples of brain trauma include:

  • falling and hitting your head

  • a head assault (e.g. experiencing a severe knock to the head)

  • vehicle accidents

  • sporting injuries to the head.
• Sprouting is the ability of a neuron to develop new branches on the dendrites or axons.
• rerouting is a neuron’s ability to form a new connection with another undamaged neuron.
• Ways to maintain brain functioning include:

  Mental stimulation

  Diet

  Physical activity

  Social support
• the gut-brain axis refers to the bidirectional connection between the gut and the brain through multiple parts of the nervous system. This means that the gut and the brain are able to communicate and influence one another via complex mechanisms.
• Structure of a neuron

  • Dendrites- receiving branches
  • Axon- sends the information along the neuron via electrical impulses
  • Myelin sheath- protective coating
  • Axon terminals- allows the axon to communicate messages to other neurons via electrical impulses
• Structure of the synapse

  • presynaptic neuron- transmits the signal toward a synapse
  • Synaptic gap- allows cells to communicate via a chemical transmission
  • Postsynaptic neuron- receives the signal from the neurotransmitter and integrates all information
  • Neurotransmitter- molecules used by the nervous system to transmit messages between the neurons or from neurons to muscles
• Developmental plasticity- ability of the brain to change with age
• Synaptogenesis- forming connections in the brain between neurons and the formation of new synapses
• Synaptic pruning- getting rid of underused connections and strengthening the connections that are used more often
• CTE- Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
• Myelination- formation of myelin coating which protects the axon
• Brain trauma- any damage that disrupts brain functioning

  • Non-traumatic- internal force
  • Traumatic- external force
• Adaptive plasticity- ability of the brain to change to the environment
• Sprouting- the creation of new connections between neurons
• Rerouting- creating an new neural pathway with undamaged neurons to compensate for the loss of damaged neural pathways
• Ways to maintain healthy brain functioning

  -Mental stimulation

  -Diet

  -Physical activity

  -Social support
• Acquired brain injury- any damage to the brain after birth
• Impact of an ABI on biological functioning

  • seizures
  • movement impairment
  • smell (olfaction) impairment
• Impact of an ABI on psychological functioning

  • memory loss
  • personality changes
  • increased susceptibility to mental health disorders
• Impact of an ABI on social functioning

  • job productivity
  • social support
  • antisocial behaviour
• CTE- progressive and fatal brain disease associated with repeated head injuries and concussions
• CTE symptoms

  • Stage 1- headaches, loss of attention and concentration
• CTE symptoms

  • Stage 2- depression, mood swings, short-term memory loss, irritation, impulsivity and emotional outbursts
• CTE symptoms

  • Stage 3- executive dysfunction such as impairments in decision making, difficulty with attention, memory loss
• CTE symptoms

  • Stage 4- Dementia, profound loss of attention and concentration, language difficulties, aggression, paranoia, difficulty walking, suicidal thoughts
• CTE in the brain- presents as brown/red staining
• CTE can only be diagnosed after a person has died, during a post-mortem examination
• There is no cure for CTE