Plasticity and functional recovery of the brain

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Plasticity as result of life exp

As gain new exp, nerve pathways used freq - stronger connections, neurons rarely used die. 

By developing new connections + weak dying, nrain able to adapt to changing environment. However, natural decline in cognitive functioning w/ age can be attributed to changes in brain. -> researchers to look for ways new connection can be made to reverse this.

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Playing video games

Makes diff complex cognitive + motor demands.

Kuhn et al (2014) - compared control group w/ video game training group, trained for 2 months 30 mins per day on Super Mario. Increase in grey matter in brain areas inc cortex, hippocampus + cerebellum. Increase not evident in control goup.

Concluded video game training resulted in new synaptic connections in brain areas involved in spatial nav, strategic planning, working mem + motor performance.

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Meditation

Davidson et al (2004) - compared 8 practitioners of Tibetan meditation w/ 10 student volunteers no med exp. Both fitted w/ electrical sensors, asked to meditate for short periods. Electrodes picked up greater activation of gamma ways in monks. Students - slight increase. 

Concluded meditation changed workings in brain in ST, also may produce permanent changes based on fact monks more gamma wave activity before started meditating.

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Functional recovery after trauma

1960s, cases stroke victims able to regain functioning. When brain celss damaged/destroyed, brain re-wires over time, some functioning regained.

Parts of brain damaged/destroyed, other part take over lost functions. Neurons next to damaged areas can form new circuits - resume some of lost function.

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Mechanisms for recovery

Neuronal unmasking: Wal (1977) - 'dormant synapses' in brain - synaptic connections exist anatomically but function blocked. Increasing rate of input can open dormant synapses. Unmasking fo them can open connections to regions of brain not normally activated -> lateral spready of activation - gives way to development of new structures.

Stem cells: unspecialised cells, potential to give rise to diff cell types that carry diff functions. 1st view - stem cells implanted in brain directly replace dead/dying cells. 2nd view - transplanted stem cells secrete growth factors, 'rescue' injured cells. 3rd view - transplanted cells form neural network, links uninjured brain site where new stem cells made, w/ damaged region of brain.

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Evaluation - Strengths

Plasticity - Kempermann et al (1998) - evidence of increased number new neurons in brains of rats in complex environments compared to lab cages. Complex - increase in neurons in huppocampus, associated w/ formation of new mems + ability to navigate.

Plasticity - Maguire et al (2000) - Amount of grey matter in brains of taxi drivers + set control participants. Posterior hippocampus taxi drivers larger.

Functional recovery after trauma - Tajiri et al (2013) - randomly assigned rats w/ traumatic brain injury 2 groups. 1) transplants stem cells in region of brain affected. 2) solution infused into brain, no stem cells. 3 months later, stem cell rats brains developed.

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Evaluation - Weaknesses

Age diffs - more likely to occur as child. After childhood, only option to develop compensatory behavioural strategies to work around deficit.

Ed diffs - Patients w/ college ed 7x more likely than those who didn't finish high school to be disability free 1 year after moderate to severe brain injury

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