NEW335H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Neuroplasticity, Neuroglia, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Document Summary
Early view of an inflexible brain was supported by the observation that neurons lacked regenerative capacity. Loss of neurons was accompanied by loss of function which appeared to be permanent. 90% of a child"s brain is formed in the first 5 years of life. Originally, we thought there was little capacity to change in brain during adulthood. We know that major changes to the brain occur outside of critical periods. Even in adulthood, the brain is malleable and capable of making adjustment. Definition: change in the structure or function of the brain. A particular stimuli changes structure/function of neurons in a lasting way. Exanples of event: learning, meditation, stroke rehabilitation, trauma responses, postnatal neurogenesis. Change in brain may be explained by alterations in vasculature and glial cells. Changes are on a small scale and challenging to visualize. Changes in brain structure in response to one stimuli can affect reactivity to other stimuli.
