Lecture Notes on Neuroplasticity and Biotechnologies in Visual System Physiology

These flashcards cover key concepts, terms, and definitions related to neuroplasticity, the visual system, and biotechnological advances in restoring sensory functions.

Plasticity

The ability of the brain to adapt and reorganize itself in response to experience, environmental changes, or injury.

Neuroplasticity

The capacity of neurons to form, strengthen, or weaken synaptic connections based on learning, experience, or injury.

Restoration of sensory function

The process of recovering sensory abilities that may have been lost due to deprivation or damage.

Hebbian plasticity

A theory stating that 'neurons that fire together, wire together', emphasizing the mechanism of synaptic strengthening.

Theta-burst stimulation (TBS)

A neurostimulation technique used to enhance synaptic plasticity in neurons.

Sensory deprivation

A condition where sensory input is missing or reduced, impairing sensory function.

Environmental enrichment

Providing stimulating environments that enhance physical, social, and psychological activities, promoting neural plasticity.

Contrast sensitivity

The ability to discern between variations in luminance; a visual function often affected by sensory deprivation.

NMDA receptors

A type of glutamate receptor that plays key roles in synaptic plasticity and memory formation.

Ocular dominance shift

The phenomenon where one eye becomes more dominant in visual processing, often studied in the context of deprivation.

Optogenetics

A technique that uses light to control neurons that have been genetically modified to express light-sensitive ion channels.

Photoreceptor degeneration

The deterioration of the cells in the retina that capture light, commonly found in retinal diseases.

Biocompatibility

The ability of a material to be compatible with living tissue without eliciting an adverse reaction.

REST (RE1-silencing transcription factor)

A transcription factor known for regulating neuronal plasticity and gene expression in the brain.

P3HT-NPs (Poly(3-hexylthiophene nanoparticles)

Nanoparticles used in retinal prostheses that can stimulate remaining retinal neurons in cases of degeneration.

Spatial acuity

The ability to resolve fine spatial details in visual images.

Visual acuity

The clarity or sharpness of vision, often measured through behavioral assessments in experimental studies.

Vascular plasticity

The ability of the vascular system to adapt and reorganize in response to neuronal activity and changes in blood flow.

Behavioral assessments

Methods used to evaluate the visual capabilities and responses of animals in experimental settings.

Restorative therapies

Clinical approaches aimed at recovering lost function, particularly in sensory modalities like vision.