PSY 308 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Brainstem, Edema, Microglia
Document Summary
Chapter 5: develop(cid:373)e(cid:374)t a(cid:374)d plasticity of the brai(cid:374) In the absence of visual experience, the visual cortex is unable to prune out the ineffective and inappropriate synapses. Fine-tuning by experience: because of the unpredictability of life, our brains have evolved the ability to remodel themselves (within limits) in response to our experience. Adolescence: antisaccade task: looking away from a powerful attention-getter, most adolescents make reasonable, mature decisions when they have time to consider their options carefully. Later mechanisms of recovery: after the first few days following brain damage, many of the surviving brain areas increase or reorganize. In some cases, one area more or less takes over the function of another, damaged area. In other cases, surviving brain areas do not take over the functions of the damaged area, but they compensate in various ways. Increased stimulation should help behavioral deficits: stimulant drugs (like amphetamine) promote recovery, gaba blockers are effective in promoting recovery after stroke.
