Discuss the plasticity of the brain including functional recovery. [16 marks]

AO1

• what is plasticity…

• process of establishing neural connections, synaptic pruning at age 2-3, Gopnik

• thought that the development of the brain stops, but evidence points to a continual process

• Maguire (2000) posterior hippocampus enlarged in London taxi drivers

• functional recovery: ability to regain function of damaged brain areas post-injury, spontaneous response after a trauma, slows later on

  • axonal sprouting for creating new synaptic connections

  • reformation of blood vessels

  • recruitment of homologous areas

AO3

• Bezzola, experienced golf-players had greater activity (measured through fMRI) in their bilateral dorsal premotor cortex than novice players following 40 hours of golf training, suggests more efficient neural pathways are formed with experience, supports idea of plasticity in later life (age 40-60)

• Gabby Giffords (2011) case study of functional recovery, shot in the head point-blank, walking, talking and writing within two years

• extent of plasticity is limited by cognitive reserve, academic education produces greater likelihood of disability-free recovery post brain injury

• application of understanding plasticity to neurorehabilitation, picking up the process when the spontaneous recovery slows

  • shows limitation to plasticity, intervention is still required

• plasticity isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, Medina (2007) it can have maladaptive consequences, prolonged drug use reduces cognitive function and increases risk of dementia