IB Psychology Neuroplasticity

Biological
Approach
Neuroplasticity

●Understand neural plasticity.

●Discuss the effect of the environment on physiological processes.

Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity

Nature v Nurture

Genetics v Environment

A neuron a cell. Different cells are specialised for particular jobs. Neurons have long axons to send electrical impulses, branching dendrites to form multiple connections and terminal buttons to send chemical signals to the next neuron.

​

The Structure of a ​Neuron

Draw

Draw a neuron. Label the dendrites with a 'D', the axon with an 'A' and the the terminal buttons with a 'T'

Neuroplasticity

The ability of the brain to reorganise itself, both in structure and how it functions

●Neurogenesis

●Dendritic branching

●Synaptic pruning

●Cortical remapping

Neurogenesis

Neurogenesis is the process by which new neurons are formed in the brain.

Studies such as Maguire and Draganski found that certain areas continue to form new
neurons throughout one’s lifespan.

Kuhn found that frequently playing video games increased brain matter in the cortex,
hippocampus and cerebellum.

Drag and Drop

Neurogenesis is the development and ​

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of new neurons. This occurs most rapidly in ​

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of life. However, in some brain regions, such as the ​

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, it is found to continue in ​

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.​

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creation

the first few

hippocampus

adulthood

reduction

the first 20 years

the last several years

occipital lobe

brain stem

Dendritic Branching

Dendritic branching is when your neurons form new connections with other neurons, and a
new pathway in the brain is established.

Dendritic Branching

Branching

This leads to an

increase in dendritic
branching, in turn,

leading to an increase

in the number of

synapses.

Repetition

High frequency

signals or repeated

stimulations

strengthen synaptic

connections over

time.

Potentiation

Repeated firing of

neurons is known as

long term

potentiation.

Dendritic Branching

Branching

This leads to an

increase in dendritic
branching, in turn,

leading to an increase

in the number of

synapses.

Repetition

High frequency

signals or repeated

stimulations

strengthen synaptic

connections over

time.

Potentiation

Repeated firing of

neurons is known as

long term

potentiation.

Drag and Drop

Dendritic branching is a type of ​

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. A neuron has branching ​

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that can form many connections ready to ​

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signals from other neurons. The more a connection, or ​

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, is used, the pathway between those neurons gets ​

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. This is called a Hebb's Synapse.

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neuroplasticity

dendrites

receive

synapse

stronger

localisation

axons

transmit

myelin sheath

weaker

Synaptic Pruning

Synaptic pruning occurs most between 2 and 16yrs.

Eliminating underused synaptic pathways helps our brains to be more efficient.

Draganski found that people taught to juggle had an increase in their mid-temporal lobe (associated with visual memory) but three months of not juggling led to the grey matter in this area decreasing.

Drag and Drop

​

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is a type of neuroplasticity. It helps the brain become more ​

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by reducing ​

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connections between neurons. In the first 16 years of life there are so many new experiences that rapid growth and branching occurs, but if these experiences aren't ​

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, any connections formed are lost to allow for more important connections to develop and become stronger.

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efficient

unused

repeated

Synaptic pruning

Neurogenesis

active

broken

forgotten

Cortical Remapping

Cortical remapping is the process by which new areas of the brain take on functionality normally localised
elsewhere.

Wittenberg found (using MRIs) that, in incidents of brain damage such as stroke, unaffected areas of the motor-cortex become responsible for movements previously controlled by the damaged areas. Tierney et al. also found evidence of cortical remapping (using PET). MA’s brain used his motor-cortex (from sign-language) to maintain his verbal ability after his speech centre was damaged.

(For something truly extraordinary look up people like Cameron, Christina and Jodie, who have undergone
hemispherectomies!)

Key Studies

Maguire

Draganski

Aim

Method

Results

Conclusion

Evaluation

Open Ended

What does Maguire's study allow us to conclude with regards to neuroplasticity?

Open Ended

What does Draganski's study allow us to conclude with regards to neuroplasticity?