Ap Psych Unit 1 1.4B: Brain Plasticity and Hemispheres

Brain Plasticity

the brain is able to wire and rewire its synaptic connections in response to new situations, info, and environmental stimuli

- adapts and modifies itself

Neurogenesis

a process through which the brain creates new neurons throughout life

- promoted by sleep and exercise

Hemispherectomy

removing the right hemisphere of the brain - > young people can recover easier than older because neurogenesis slows with age

Long-term potential (LTP)

a repetitive process in which new neural networks are formed by triggering the same sequence of neurons repeatedly to create fast and more efficient pathways

- persistent strengthening of neural synapses based on frequent activity

Corpus Callosum

a thick bundle of nerves that link the two hemispheres of the brain -> allows them to interact

Split-brain

when one's corpus callosum is severed during a procedure to control epileptic seizures

- studies of patients deduced that the left-hemisphere holds language capability and the right for spatial awareness

Lateralization

the two hemispheres have some specialized functions

Right hemisphere

better at visual, spatial, artistic, and musical tastes

- able to draw picture of word but not say it

Left hemisphere

center for mathematical, logical, analytical, and linguistic abilities

Association Area

areas without a particularly specialized function; make up most of forebrain

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

involves placing electrodes on the skull to identify electrical activity in parts of the brain

- does not provide an image -> used in sleep studies to identify brain waves and to diagnose seizure disorders

Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT)

used to identify issues with brain structure

- black and white scan used to identify blood clots or tumors in the brain

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

places individuals in a tube with strong magnetic forces to take atoms out of normal rotation and obtains an image when they return (those with metal can not do)

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

requires a non-harmful injection of a radioactive substance to trace the metabolism of glucose -> as patient performs tasks, glucose flows to different parts of the brain

Functional MRI

shows both structure and function of different brain regions; like MRI but also shows where brain oxygen levels change during tasks