plasticity and functional recovery

what is brain plasticity

• the brain’s ability to change and adapt because of experience

what is functional recovery

the transfer of functions from a damaged area of the brain after trauma to other undamaged areas

when is the greatest growth of synaptic connections

infancy - Gopnick suggested a peak at 2-3 years old.

what is synaptic pruning 

• when it is established that some synaptic connections are not used and so they are removed 

why does synaptic pruning occur

when synaptic connections are no longer used and therefore can be removed to make space for new learning and experiences 

how does functioning continue despite damage to the brain

dormant synapses near the trauma are activated or unmasked 

what is axonal sprouting

growth of new nerve endings

how are new pathways formed

through axonal sprouting and the re-formation of blood vessels serving the brain

what application has this had

advances in the field of neuro rehabilitation

what is neuro rehabilitation

the process of supporting people after brain trauma to regain as much function as possible 

what is spontaneous recovery

when at first the brain takes over from damaged areas quickly but slows down later 

examples of therapies which continue the rehabilitation

electrical stimulation or brain movement therapy

what are the evaluation points

1. supporting research — Maguire, Kuhn, Davidson 

2. individual differences — Schneider, Bezzola, Kim 

Supporting research evaluation:

P: there is a wide range of research showing the brain’s plasticity in response to learning and experience. 

E: In Maguire’s study into the differences between the brains of taxi and bus drivers, he found taxi drivers had more grey matter in the hippocampus than bus drivers, showing experience and spacial navigation can change brain structure.

In Kuhn’s study, he found that playing video games increased grey matter in areas linked to memory, planning and motor skills, supporting that brain plasticity changes due to experience

In Davidson’s study, he found that Tibetan monks who meditated regally showed higher levels of gamma wave activity compared to non-mediators. Gamma waves are linked to greater neural coordination. Therefore mediation may increase brain plasticity and lead to lasting positive changes in the brain

L: these studies illustrate how by engaging in new activities or activities which challenge our regular thought pattern we can physically alter the brain’s structure 

evaluation for individual differences

P: the ability to functionally adapt is not equal and there are differences in how individuals will recover dependant on various factors

E: Schneider conducted research into the influence of education on 769 brain trauma patients and found that those with a college education were seven times more likely to be disabled free a year after injury than those without a high school diploma. this shows that higher educational attainment is linked to better brain recovery showing individual differences

Bezzola conducted research into the influence of age, he found that 40 hours of golf training cause brain changes in 40-60 year olds, leading to more efficient neural representations than controls. this shows neural plasticity can occur at any age showing the brain remains adaptable in adulthood

Kim conducted research into the influence of gender, he studied male and female stroke patients and found no gender difference in mortality, but men had higher rates of disability free recovery likely due to the fact that they have more opportunities to learn new skills. this suggests that gender differences may influence recovery and brain plasticity after injury.

L: therefore we must consider individual differences when assessing the likelihood of functional recovery in the brain after trauma.