1. Neuroplasticity Ability for neurons to: Change their function
Chemical profile
Structure

2. Plasticity and the Human Brain
Behavioral changes are accompanied by changes in the nervous system
Neural Plasticity measured through:
Observable behavior
Cerebral maps
Synaptic organization

3. The Downside of Brain Plasticity
Exposure to drugs produces alterations in dendritic length and spine density
Addiction and prefrontal morphology
Intense Psychological Trauma (PTSD)
Pathological pain
Pathological response to sickness
Psychological and therapeutic implications in management of these problems

6. Inflammatory Soup Following Nociceptive Stimuli + Tissue DamageH+
Free nerve endings
A fibers and C fibers

7. CRPS 7 7

8. Early Pain Late Pain (noxious stimuli are more painful)
(innocuous stimuli are now painful)

10. Plasticity in Cortical Maps
Motor and sensory
maps can be altered by
experience

11. Plasticity in Synaptic Organization
Neurons with more challenging tasks have more complex synaptic organization

14. Problems of Non Use
© 2008 Jones Lab at UT Austin Theresa Jones PhD. The University of Texas at Austin Institute for Neuroscience

15. Plasticity Physiological Organization
Long-term potentiation
Enhanced synaptic transmission after electrical stimulation of a cell
Leads to changes in dendritic length and spine density
2nd messenger, gene expression, remodeling
Model for learning occurs

16. Activity-dependent Plasticity Good News for Therapies!
Brain remodels itself
capacity to retain memories
enhance comprehension and speech
improve motor function
Application
Traumatic brain injury
Stroke
Parkinson
Aging ,etc.

17. Other Applications
Higher Education and Learning
Stroke and Exercise
Pain
Depression
Learned contentment, happiness, lowered blood pressure and heart rate
Exercise and Brain Activities are Protective for Aging and Dementia
Virtual Reality, Computer Interface, Robotics

18. Principles of Activity-dependent Plasticity: Kleim & Jones
1. Use It or Lose It Failure to drive specific brain functions can lead to functional degradation.
2. Use It and Improve It Training that drives a specific brain function can lead to an enhancement of that function.
3. Specificity The nature of the training experience dictates the nature of the plasticity.
4. Repetition Matters Induction of plasticity requires sufficient repetition.
5. Intensity Matters Induction of plasticity requires sufficient training intensity.

19. Principles of Activity-dependent Plasticity : Kleim & Jones (continued)
6. Time Matters Different forms of plasticity occur at different times during training.
7. Salience Matters The training experience must be sufficiently salient to induce plasticity. (salient: the state or quality of an item that stands out…)
8. Age Matters Training-induced plasticity occurs more readily in younger brains.
9. Transference Plasticity in response to one training experience can enhance the acquisition of similar behaviors.
10. Interference Plasticity in response to one experience can interfere with the acquisition of other behaviors.

20. Considerations for Neuroplasticity
Nervous system is not hard wired, it can change
Nervous system is adaptable (plastic)
Medical and Health Professionals can have positive effect on Neuroplasticity 20 20

21. Review
Take a five minute session to walk around with a different partner to summarize content covered in this section of the lecture
What questions do you have?