Maguire et al - taxi drivers

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What is neuroplasticity?
Functions & processes of the brain can change/adapt due to experience/injury. Research shows the brain continues to create new & alter existing pathways in response to changing experiences
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What are the 2 types of neurological changes?
1- Functional (changes in neurotransmitters themselves) 2- Structural (changes in size & number)
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What is the hippocampus concerned with?
Spatial memories (locations of things, distances & routes). It also connects memories - links memory of going somewhere w/ memories of how it looked/smelt/where it was
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What does the hippocampus have to do with memory?
Turns short term memories into long term. If it's damaged, old mems stay but new ones aren't retained -> anterograde amnesia. Even if you can't form new mems, you can learn new skills - suggesting different areas for different info?
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What is 'the knowledge'?
A test that Taxi drivers have to take in order to drive around London - they need to know 320 routes, 25,000 roads & 20,000 landmarks within a 6 mile radius of charring cross
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What was Maguire's aim?
To investigate differences in the brain - especially in the hippocampi of London taxi drivers, as well as the function of the hippocampus in regard to spatial memory
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Outline maguire's participants
16 London taxi drivers, all right handed & aged 32-62 & taxi drivers for min 1.5 years w/ avg 2 years spent on knowledge. All generally healthy
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Who were the control participants?
Existing brain slices of 50 healthy right handed males aged 32-62. Matched to TD's on age
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How were the brains analysed?
Structural MRI's - used VBM to measure volume of grey matter & indicate general brain differences. Pixel counting measured 2D area in slices from 3 areas - Posterior (back), main body & anterior (front). Analysed by a qualified & independent man
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What were the results for the VBM?
Taxi drivers have an increase in grey matter in the L&R hippocampi, & there's a bilateral increase in grey matter in the posterior hippocampus
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What were the results for pixel counting?
TD = higher volume in posterior hipp, but no difference in main body. Control group had higher volume in right hipp than left than TD's.
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What were the correlational results between time spent as a taxi driver & hippocampal volume?
Positive correlation -> time spent as TD & right posterior hipp volume. Negative correlation -> time spent as TD & anterior hipp volume
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What were the conclusions from this?
The results provide evidence for structural differences between London TD's & the controls. Suggests extensive spatial navigation practice affects the hippocampus (neuroplasticity)
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Card 2

Front

What are the 2 types of neurological changes?

Back

1- Functional (changes in neurotransmitters themselves) 2- Structural (changes in size & number)

Card 3

Front

What is the hippocampus concerned with?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What does the hippocampus have to do with memory?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What is 'the knowledge'?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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