AO1 - Plasticity and Functional Recovery

• Plasticity - The brain's ability to change and adapt its structures and processes (1) as a result of new learning and experience (1)
• Synaptic pruning is the process of strengthening the connections in the brain by repeating/adding to material learnt - if connections are not tended to then they die off
• During infancy, the brain experiences a rapid growth in the number of synaptic connections, peaking at approximately 15,000 at the age of 2-3 years - this is around twice as many as an adult brain
• Functional recovery is a type of plasticity and refers to the recovery of abilities and mental processes that have been affected as a result of brain damage

  • The brain is able to rewire itself by forming new synaptic connections close to the damaged area of the brain. Structural changes are created in the brain
• Recruitment of homologous areas:

  • Areas from the opposite side of the brain take over the function of the damaged area of the brain
  • For example, if Broca's area was damaged (LH), the right sided equivalent would take over its job/carry out its functions
• What affects recovery after trauma?

  • Perseverance - If a person has a positive mindset, there is a better recovery rate
  • Age - Young people are more likely to recover from damage than older individuals as plasticity is still happening
  • Gender - Females are more likely to recover than males as they have thicker connections in the brain
  • Education - The more time spent in education, the better chance of recovery from damage
  • Stress and alcohol - Stress and alcohol make it more difficult for an individual to recover