During infancy, rapid growth of synaptic connections occur peaking at 15,000 at 2-3 years. As we agre, rarely used ones are deleted and used ones are strengthened - synaptic pruning. Research shows neural connections can change or be formed anytime
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Maguire - Supporting Plasticty
Studied the brain of London Cabbies finding more volume of grey matter in the hippocampus, responsible for spatial/navigation skills. Take 'the knowledge' test assessing recall of routes and found this learning alters the brains structure.
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Draganski - Supporting Plasticity
Imaged brains of medical students 3 moths before and after their final exams. Learning-induced changes occured in the hippocampus and parietal cortex, presumably as a result of the exams.
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Functional Recovery of the Brain after Trauma
Following injury/trauma, other areas of the brain compensate for the damaged areas, eg of plasticity. Scientists say this can occur quickly after trauma (spontaneous recovery) then slowdown after a few months. Individual may need futher therapy after
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What Happens During Recovery
The brain rewires by forming new synaptic connections near the damage. Secondary neural pathways that aren't typically used are activated to allow functioning to continue, often like it did before and is supported by structural changes in the brain.
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Structural Changes During Recovery
Axonal Sprouting- The growth of new nerve endings which connect with the other undamaged nerve cells to form new neural pathways. Reformation of blood cells. Recruitment of homologous (similar) areas on the opposite side of the brain to perform tasks
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Evaluation - Practical Application
Understanding of plasticity has lead to neurorehabillitation used to maintain improvements to functioning. Techniques such as movement and electrical stimulation of the brain to counter deficits in motor/cognitive funtioning.
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Evaluation - Negative Plasticity
Ability of the brain to rewire itself can lead to maladaptive behavioural consequences. Prolonged drug use shows poor cognitive funtioning and increase risk of dementia.60% of amputees suffer phantom limb syndrome from changes in somatosensory cortex
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Evaluation - Bezzola - Age and Plasticity
Plasticity reduces with age but studied how 40 hours of golf made changes to neural represntation of movement in 40-60 olds. Observed reduced motor cortex activity using fMRI in novice golders compared to control showing more effecient after training
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Evaluation - Wiesel - Support from Animal Studies
Study involved sewing one eye of a kitten shut and analysing the brain's cortical responses. Found the area of the visual cortex associated with the shut eye was still active as predicted but continued to process info from the other eye.
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Front
Maguire - Supporting Plasticty
Back
Studied the brain of London Cabbies finding more volume of grey matter in the hippocampus, responsible for spatial/navigation skills. Take 'the knowledge' test assessing recall of routes and found this learning alters the brains structure.
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