plasticity and functional recovery of the brain

what is brain plasticity?

• the ability of the brain to modify its structure + function overtime based on experience & new learning

• babies’ brains experience a rapid growth in synaptic connections, peaking at 2-3 yrs, ab twice as many as an adult brain

• overtime, rarely used connections are deleted and frequently used connections are strengthened (synaptic pruning)

what is synaptic pruning?

enables lifelong brain plasticity where neural connections are formed, existing ones are altered and rarely used neural connections are lost in response to changing experiences

what is functional recovery?

• form of brain plasticity

• where healthy brain areas take over the functions of those areas damaged/missing due to trauma, such as stroke or physical injury

• so, the brain can recover abilities previously lost due to brain injury

• this process can occur quickly after trauma (spontaneous recovery) and then slow down

what is neural unmasking?

• involves activation of ‘dormant’ synapses to compensate for damaged areas of the brain

• this is where the brain forms new synaptic connections due to the damaged area and secondary neural pathways that would not normally be used are activated to enable functioning to continue

what are the structural changes supporting neuronal unmasking?

• axonal sprouting: growth of new nerve endings to form neural pathways

• denervation super sensitivity: axons that do a similar job to those that have been damaged become aroused to a higher level

• reformation of blood vessels

• recruitment of similar brain areas on the opposite side of the brain

what is neural reorganisation?

greater in children than adults and full recovery depends on the extent and location of the damage, internal/external factors over time and level of subsequent care

• e.g. physiotherapy