bp prt 2

• brain adapts function and structure as a results of change in environment. changes can be due to damage or to meet the cognitive demands of learning new skills
• direct changes can occur due to new learning or physical damage or developmental changes
• indirect changes include brain swelling or bleeding from stroke
• these indirect and direct changes can result neuronal cell death which results in the brain having to quickly change to cover for the damage
• functional reorganisation is when other areas of the brain take over the tasks that the damaged areas of the brain used to do
• synaptic pruning is when synapses are used frequently and become stronger over time. however the unused synaptic connections are lost. this makes the brain a more efficient communication system over time
• axonal sprouting is when existing neurons growing new axons connect to close nearby neurons. neural regeneration is the growth of new neuronal cells
• denervation supersensitivity compensates for the loss of axons in a pathway by making the remaining axons become sensitive. this can result in pain
• children are more likely to go through functional recovery more effectively than adults. as well as that females are able to recover from brain damage more effectively than males.
• Maguire et al (2000) taxi drivers have to complete a knowledge test memorising a lot of landmarks and routes. maguire used a matched pairs design and did MRI scans on 16 male taxi drivers and 16 male control participants.
• the taxi driver had a larger posterior hippocampi compared to the control group. the amount of largeness increased if the taxi driver was more experienced. suggesting that the physical structure of the brain is plastic, and it can mold itself to adapt better to the psychological demands.
• research on brain plasticity and functional recovery has practical benefits since it has been useful in therapy and helping people return back to their lives and work this benefits the economy
• research on individuals recovering lost function can help psychologists understand more about the functions of the brain regions that were initially damaged.
• metaanalysis however demonstrates that IQ and educational level are more correlated with better outcomes after brain injury. suggesting some individuals just have a better cognitive reserve helping in recovery.