Biological Approach: Neuroplasticity (Brain Plasticity), Biological Approach: Neurotransmission

What is brain plasticity (neuroplasticity)?

Changes that occur as a result of learning or experience
Rearranging the connections between neurons
Adaptation to the environment

What research has been associated with brain plasticity (neuroplasticity)?

Brefczynski-Lewis et al. 2007 (meditation)
Draganski et al. 2004 (juggling)
Draganski et al., 2006 (Exams)
Maguire et al. 2000 (taxi drivers)
Rosenzweig, 1972 (enriching environment)
Paul Bach-y-Rita et al., 1969
AND PTSD research

Research into PTSD has shown as that brain changes occur in which two regions?

amygdala and hippocampus

How does prolonged exposure to trauma impact the hippocampus?

It shrinks the hippocampus

When studying PTSD, which part of the brain explains the irregular emotional responses?

amygdala

What is the assumption behind the neuroplasticity theory?

Brain changes behavior, behavior changes the brain: especially cerebral cortex (Higher functioning)

What is the conclusion for Rosenzweig's research?

the brain grows more neurons if environmentally stimulated

Did Rosenzweig know that his enriched or deprived environment changed behavior?

No

How do you observe neuroplasticity on a small scale?

Synaptic plasticity

What does Synaptic plasticity mean?

Small scale study of neuroplasticity by the activity of neurons
Do they increase activity, increase connections (vice versa)

How do you study neuroplasticity on a large scale?

Cortical remapping

Which research is an example of cortical remapping?

Merzenich et al., 1984

Research conclusion for Merzenich et al., 1984

cortical remapping occurs in owl monkeys after 62 days

What are the three parts/steps of Merzenich et al., 1984 research?

1. Used electrodes to map the brain
2. Amputated middle finger
3. 62 days later → cognitive remapping

How are memories impacted by PTSD?

-traumatic memories that seem different from other kinds of memories
-Memory in PTSD patients is also characterized by impairment
-not being able to remember aspects of the trauma
-fragmentation of memories

What is the debate in neuroplasticity over PTSD?

Prolonged exposure to trauma shrinks the hippocampus
OR
A smaller hippocampus makes you more vulnerable to PTSD

What was unique about the participants in Harvard Medical School's 2002 research on PTSD?

They were identical twins; one a veteran

What is the research conclusion of Brefcynski-Lewis et al (2007)?

Meditation changes the brain (plasticity)

What behavior(s) did Brefcynski-Lewis et al (2007)
study?

attention and meditation

Who were the participants in Brefcynski-Lewis et al (2007)?

10,000-54,000 hours of meditation (Asian)
Newly trained (Caucasian)

What behavior did Draganski et al., 2004 study?

juggling

In the Draganski et al., 2004 study, which brain region showed the greatest change?

mid-temporal lobe (associated with coordination)

How did Draganski et al., 2006 explain the unique discovery in his research?

He made the connection between cortisol (stress hormone) and brain plasticity.

How does cortisol impact brain plasticity?

It limits the growth of the hippocampus

Sense substitution

other senses make up for the loss of another sense

Human echolocation

ability to see through echoes

Brain-machine interface

artificial sensory organs and bionic limbs

What was the aim of Bach-y-Rita et al., 1969?

explore sensory substitution by changing visual stimuli to tactile stimuli

In Draganski et al., 2006, how did they explain the continued growth of the hippocampus AFTER learning?

during the learning period, cortisol limited the growth of the hippocampus. Once the stress was less, the hippocampus continued to grow

What is considered the most important part of a neurotransmitter?

Synapse
why? This is where drugs can impact communications, messages can get lost or confused.

What is the first step to Neurotransmission?

Neurotransmissions are stored in the terminal button of the axon

What happens to neurotransmitters if they are not absorbed by the dendrite?

Reuptake occurs: neurotransmitter is reabsorbed by axon to be used again OR they are broken down by enzymes in the body

What is unique about a reflex?

Faster neurotransmission that involves the spinal cord. So, muscles move without the signal from the brain.

What is a mirror neuron?

The neuron fires when an animal/person PERFORMS an action or OBSERVES and action

Which two disorders/diseases are linked to dopamine?

Parkinson's disease
Schizophrenia

Which neurotrasmitter is referred to as the pleasure seeking transmitter?

Dopamine
Also, Reward system & Addictive behavior

How are dopamine levels impacted by Parkinson's?

dopamine levels are LOW

What medicine is considered a common treatment for Parkinson's Disease

L-dopa
Increase dopamine (caused schizophrenia symptoms)

How are dopamine levels impacted by schizophrenia?

Too much dopamine OR too sensitive

Which neurotransmitter is associated with addiction?

dopamine

What is the purpose of seratonin?

Mood regulation
Inhibit dreaming while we are not sleeping

What drug is commonly given for depression because of the inability to regulate mood?

Prozac

What does the neurotransmitter ACh stand for?

Acetylcholine

How does ACh impact behavior?

Synaptic plasticity in hippocampus
Learning and short term memory

How do neurons communications?

with neurotransmitters

Where are neurotransmitters stored?

in small vesicles at the tips of axons (terminal button)

reuptake

when neurotransmitters are reabsorbed into the axon button/terminal

What is a reflex?

Faster neurotransmission that involves the spinal cord

What does MS stand for?

Multiple Sclerosis

How does MS impact the neuron?

attacks the myelin sheath, damaging the communication between neurons

what are the two types of neurotransmitters?

Excitatory Neurotransmitters: allows impulse
Inhibitory neurotransmitters: stop impulse
calming

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

allows impulse

Inhibitory neurotransmitters

stop impulse, calming

What is an agonist chemical?

Agonists: enhance the action of a neurotransmitter

What is an antagonist chemical?

Antagonists: counteract neurotransmitter,
prevent signal

What does SSRI stand for?

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

What type of chemical is an SSRI?

antogonist

What do doctors use SSRI for?

treat depression

What is a mirror neuron?

a neuron that fires both when an animal acts and when the animal observes the same action performed by another

What were the research conclusions for Iacobone, 2004?

empathy and learning in humans is based on mirror neurons

Who studied mirror neurons?

Iacobone, 2004

What moral dilemma is used in Crockett et al., 2010 research?

Trolley dilemma

What drug is administered in Crockett et al., 2010 ?

citalopram (SSRI)

In Crockett et al., 2010, what were the two types of dilemmas?

personal: pushing a man off a bridge to save 5
impersonal: pushing a lever to divert train to kill one instead of 5

What behavior is dopamine related to?

motivation
brain's reward and pleasure center
Helps regulate emotional responses
movement

What type of neurotransmitter is dopamine?

excitatory neurotransmitter

What were the research conclusions for Fisher, Aron and Brown, 2005?

Dopamine is the MAIN neurotransmitter connected romantic love

Characteristics of Parkinson's Disease

-Degenerative disease/disorder
-Impact: motor functions, tremor, slow movement, rigidity
-Later...cognitive difficulties
-No cure, no known cause

What is the neurotransmitter link with Parkinson's Disease?

too little dopamine in the synapse

Research conclusion of Freed et al., 2001

transplantation of dopamine-producing neurons causes a reduction in symptoms in younger patients

What research used neurons from an embryo?

Freed et al., 2001

What does Scopolamine do?

Blocks ACh or Acetylcholine in the hippocampus

Where do you find Acetylcholine?

the hippocampus

What is a neurotransmitter cause of depression?

low levels of serotonin in the synapse

Besides neurotransmission, what is another possible cause of depression?

5-HTT Gene (increase vulnerability)

Which of the following is the most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in the human brain?

GABA

According to Fisher, Aron and Brown, 2005, what is the love cocktail?

dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin