7 - Plasticity & Functional Recovery

• Plasticity definition?

  Plasticity refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt because of experience.
• Functional Recovery definition?


  The brain also appears to show evidence of functional recovery = the transfer of functions from a damaged area of the brain after trauma to other undamaged areas (functions lost taken over by other parts of the brain).
• Plasticity?

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  A) ?

  
• The brain is not a static organ and the functions and processes of the brain can change as a result of experience and injury
• When talking about functional recovery of the brain after trauma:

  • The brain 'rewires' itself by forming new synaptic connections
  • Following trauma unaffected areas of the brain take over lost functions.
• Following trauma unaffected areas of the brain take over lost functions

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  A) ?

  
• Functional Recovery of the brain after trauma

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  A) ?

  
• Structural changes in the brain - further structural changes may include:

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  A) ?

  
• Plasticity - PART 1


  • The ability of the brain to change and adapt through a person's lifespan because of experience
  • Previously this ability was thought to be restricted to INFANCY; the time of the greatest rapid growth of synaptic connections. GOPNIK ET AL (1999) suggested a peak a 2-3 years when around 15,000 synaptic connections are made.
  • It was once thought these changes were limited to childhood but recent research suggests existing neural connections can be changed or new neural connections can be formed at any time as a result of learning and experience.
• Plasticity - PART 2 (includes synaptic pruning)


  • As we AGE, rarely used connections are deleted and frequently used-connection strengthened - when it is established that some synaptic connections are not used then the process of synaptic pruning occurs - which involves the removal of these synaptic connections.
• Following trauma unaffected areas of the brain take over lost functions - PART 1


  • Functional recovery of the brain after trauma is an important example of NEURAL PLASTICITY - healthy unaffected areas of the brain take over functions of areas damaged, missing or destroyed.
  • Neuroscientists suggest this process occurs quickly after trauma (SPONTANEOUS RECOVERY) and then slows down later - at which point the person may require REHABILITATIVE THERAPY, for example electrical stimulation of the brain or movement therapy (physiotherapy).
• Following trauma unaffected areas of the brain take over lost functions - PART 2


  • The application of this knowledge has led to advances in the field of neurorehabilitation, which is the process of supporting people after brain trauma to regain as much function as possible.
• Stuff covered in this topic of plasticity & functional recovery

  • Plasticity
  • Functional recovery
  • Following trauma unaffected areas of the brain take over lost functions
  • Functional Recovery of the brain after trauma
  • Structural changes in the brain - further structural changes may include: