Knowt
Plasticity
The brain is constantly reorganising itself
The brain has the ability to alter it’s structure and function in response to changes in the environment
This is know from plasticity:
Information takes a pathway through the brain, travelling from one neuron to the next via synapses
When we’re presented with new information, new neural pathways begin to form
Using a neural pathway strengthens it- the more a pathways begin to form
Using a neural pathway strengthens it- the more a pathway is used, the stronger the connections between the neurons become
If a neural pathway is not used it becomes weaker
This constant rewiring and reorganisation of the brain is the basis of how we learn and adapt to changes in our environment. For example, when we first carry out a new action, we are not very good at it. If we repeat the action over and over again, the pathways strengthen and we get better at the action
Plasticity was previously thought only to occur in babies and children. Akthough plasticity is greatest in the developing brain, it is now widely accepted that plasticity occurs throughout adult life too
Plasticity can allow functional recovery after brain damage:
Brain damage can be caused by serious head injuries, strokes, tumours, infections etc
This brain damage can result in loss of function. For example, damage to the broca’s area can result in the loss of speech, damage to the auditory cortex can cause loss of hearing, etc
The brain has the potential to recover some of this lost function
This is thought to be due to plasticity- the brain begins to rewire itself
There is evidence that healthy areas of the brain located near the damaged area begin to take over the function of the damaged area
Using the affected area can encourage functional recovery:
After a stroke which has caused loss of function on one side of the body (the right arm), some patients are prevented from using their non-affected side (left arm). This forces them to ‘re-learn’ how to use their affected arm. This method is known as constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT)
Advantages:
Numerous studies have shown that CIMT produces cortical reorganisation which results in regained or improved function
The principles of CIMT can also be applied to patients who suffer from aphasia as a result of stroke damage. Instead of communicating in other ways, e.g drawing pictures, using sign language etc. They play a game which requires them to try and speak a word presented on a card. Studies have shown that this therapy caused dysfunctional areas near the damaged area to become functional again
Disadvantages:
CIMT can be very frustrating for the patient
CIMT needs to be very intensive to be effective. Patients are often required to train the affected limb for several hours a day, for consecutive weeks and have their unaffected limb restrained for 90% of the time that they are awake
It is most effective in treating patients who have suffered mild to moderate strokes. if there’s lots of damage to the brain, it can be much harder to regain function
Plasticity
The brain is constantly reorganising itself
The brain has the ability to alter it’s structure and function in response to changes in the environment
This is know from plasticity:
Information takes a pathway through the brain, travelling from one neuron to the next via synapses
When we’re presented with new information, new neural pathways begin to form
Using a neural pathway strengthens it- the more a pathways begin to form
Using a neural pathway strengthens it- the more a pathway is used, the stronger the connections between the neurons become
If a neural pathway is not used it becomes weaker
This constant rewiring and reorganisation of the brain is the basis of how we learn and adapt to changes in our environment. For example, when we first carry out a new action, we are not very good at it. If we repeat the action over and over again, the pathways strengthen and we get better at the action
Plasticity was previously thought only to occur in babies and children. Akthough plasticity is greatest in the developing brain, it is now widely accepted that plasticity occurs throughout adult life too
Plasticity can allow functional recovery after brain damage:
Brain damage can be caused by serious head injuries, strokes, tumours, infections etc
This brain damage can result in loss of function. For example, damage to the broca’s area can result in the loss of speech, damage to the auditory cortex can cause loss of hearing, etc
The brain has the potential to recover some of this lost function
This is thought to be due to plasticity- the brain begins to rewire itself
There is evidence that healthy areas of the brain located near the damaged area begin to take over the function of the damaged area
Using the affected area can encourage functional recovery:
After a stroke which has caused loss of function on one side of the body (the right arm), some patients are prevented from using their non-affected side (left arm). This forces them to ‘re-learn’ how to use their affected arm. This method is known as constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT)
Advantages:
Numerous studies have shown that CIMT produces cortical reorganisation which results in regained or improved function
The principles of CIMT can also be applied to patients who suffer from aphasia as a result of stroke damage. Instead of communicating in other ways, e.g drawing pictures, using sign language etc. They play a game which requires them to try and speak a word presented on a card. Studies have shown that this therapy caused dysfunctional areas near the damaged area to become functional again
Disadvantages:
CIMT can be very frustrating for the patient
CIMT needs to be very intensive to be effective. Patients are often required to train the affected limb for several hours a day, for consecutive weeks and have their unaffected limb restrained for 90% of the time that they are awake
It is most effective in treating patients who have suffered mild to moderate strokes. if there’s lots of damage to the brain, it can be much harder to regain function
