plasticity and functional recovery of the brain

what happens during infancy

brain experiences rapid growth in synaptic connections

what happens to these connections as we age

unused connections are deleted and used connections are strengthen - this is synaptic pruning

what was the procedure for Maguires study

compared the volume of grey matter posterior hippocampus of London taxi drivers and a control group

why did the taxi drivers have more grey matter

as part of their training they have to take a complex test called the knowledge to recall city streets and possible routes

what is functional recovery

healthy brains areas take over functions of damaged, destroyed or missing areas.

how does the timing of functional recovery work

the process occurs quickly after trauma - spontaneous recovery

it then slows down