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Plasticity In The Brain

Anatomy and Physiology14 CardsCreated 4 months ago

This deck covers the concept of brain plasticity, including its types, examples, and key research studies that demonstrate how the brain adapts and changes in response to various experiences.

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What is meant by brain plasticity?

It refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt modifying its own structure and function as a result of experience.
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Key Terms

Term
Definition
What is meant by brain plasticity?
It refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt modifying its own structure and function as a result of experience.
Research has shown...
that the brain continues to create new neuronal pathways and alter existing ones to adapt to new experiences as a result of learning.
When does plasticity occur in the brain
1. At the beginning of life 2. In the case of brain injury 3. Through adulthood
Positive neuroplasticity
Environmental factors that increase cognitive reserve, promotes neuronal connections and causes denser neuronal connections. The result is that over t...
Examples of positive neuroplasticity
Mental stimulation Good emotional health Proper sleep Physical exercise
Negative neuroplasticity
Environmental factors that decrease cognitive reserve, inhibits neuronal connections and causes sparse neuronal connections. The result if that over t...
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Plasticity In The Brain
TermDefinition
What is meant by brain plasticity?
It refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt modifying its own structure and function as a result of experience.
Research has shown...
that the brain continues to create new neuronal pathways and alter existing ones to adapt to new experiences as a result of learning.
When does plasticity occur in the brain
1. At the beginning of life 2. In the case of brain injury 3. Through adulthood
Positive neuroplasticity
Environmental factors that increase cognitive reserve, promotes neuronal connections and causes denser neuronal connections. The result is that over time the brain becomes more efficient.
Examples of positive neuroplasticity
Mental stimulation Good emotional health Proper sleep Physical exercise
Negative neuroplasticity
Environmental factors that decrease cognitive reserve, inhibits neuronal connections and causes sparse neuronal connections. The result if that over time the brain becomes less efficient.
Examples of negative neuroplasticity
Non-stimulating activities Poor mental health Inadequate sleep Sedentary lifestyle
Maguire et al (2000)procedure
The researchers compared the MRI scans of 16 male taxi drivers vs 50 male non-taxi drivers
Maguire et al (2000)findings
The hippocampus of the taxi drivers was significantly larger than the non-taxi drivers Hippocampal volume correlated positively with the amount of years spent as a taxi driver.
Maguire et al (2000)conclusion
The study demonstrated plasticity of the hippocampus in response to environmental demands. Maguire concluded that the experience of having to plan routes and navigate around London from memory led to growth in the hippocampus.
Boyke et al (2008)
Found evidence of brain plasticity in 60 year olds taught a new skill- juggling. They found increase in grey matter in the visual cortex, although when practicing stopped, these changes reserved, supporting the idea that neurons that are not used can die.
Kuhn et al (2014)procedure
Compared a control group with a video game training group that was trained for 2 months for at least 30 minutes per day on the game Super Mario.
Kuhn et al (2014)findings
they found a significant increase in grey matter in brain areas including the cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum. This grey matter was not evident in the control group.
synaptic pruning
Removes axons from synaptic connections that are not functionally appropriate It strengthens important connections and eliminates weaker unnecessary neuronal structures creating more effective neuronal communication The selection of pruned neurons follows the 'use it or lose it' principle meaning that synapses that are frequently used to have strong connections while the rarely used synapses are eliminated.