Deck 4: Neuroplasticity

Question 1

After learning how to play the violin:

A)Large,diffuse regions of the brain show increased activity.
B)Small,distinct regions of the brain show increased activity.
C)Small,distinct regions of the brain show increased activity while playing the flute.
D)None of the above

Answer 1

B
Explanation: With repetition of a task,a reduction in the number of active regions occurs in the brain.Eventually,when a motor task is learned,only small,distinct regions of the brain show increased activity when performing the task.For example,learning to play a musical instrument requires numerous brain regions.As skill increases,fewer areas are activated because less attention is required,motor control is optimized,and only the brain areas required to perform the task efficiently are active.Eventually,playing the instrument requires only a few small,specific regions.

Question 2

Functional regeneration of axons occurs more frequently in the peripheral nervous system (PNS)than in the CNS because of the:

A)Production of nerve growth factor (NGF).
B)Effective clearing of debris.
C)Formation of bands of Büngner.
D)All of the above

Answer 2

D
Explanation: Functional regeneration of axons occurs more frequently in the PNS than in the CNS,because Schwann cells produce nerve growth factor,debris is effectively cleared away from the site of injury,and the bands of Büngner form to guide axonal regrowth to the target.

Question 3

Which of the following rehabilitation mechanisms promotes beneficial neural plasticity?

A)Task-specific practice
B)Early initiation of rehabilitation
C)Bed rest
D)Both A and B

Answer 3

D
Explanation: Conclusive evidence indicates that early rehabilitation is key to improved recovery,whereas delayed rehabilitation reduces the impact of therapy.Task-specific practice is essential for motor learning because task-specific practice produces long-lasting cortical reorganization in the brain areas activated.Bed rest promotes harmful neural plasticity.

Question 4

Constraint-induced movement after a stroke requires which one of the following?

A)Immobilization of the affected upper extremity (UE)to control spasticity
B)Repetitive closed-chain resistance training
C)Aggressive range of motion and exercise within 12 hours after a stroke
D)Repetitive,task-specific functional movements of only the affected UE
E)Weight bearing and prolonged stretching of the affected UE

Question 5

Which one of the following types of memory is affected by an injury to the hippocampus?

A)Memory of how to ride a bicycle
B)Memory of names and events
C)Memory of how to tie shoe laces
D)Both A and B
E)A,B,and C

Question 6

Excitotoxicity begins with:

A)Excessive production of lactic acid.
B)Destruction of cellular proteins.
C)Cellular edema.
D)Persistent binding of glutamate to N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-type receptors in the postsynaptic cell membrane.
E)Interference of mitochondria functions.

Question 7

Learning an individual's name requires:

A)Sprouting
B)LTP
C)Habituation
D)Central chromatolysis

Question 8

Long-term depression (LTD)is due to which of the following?

A)Conversion of silent synapses to active synapses
B)Removal of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)receptors from the postsynaptic membrane
C)Addition of dopamine receptors to the presynaptic membrane
D)Pairing of presynaptic and postsynaptic firing

Question 9

Experience-dependent plasticity is also referred to as which of the following?

A)Use-dependent plasticity
B)Activity-dependent plasticity
C)Habituation
D)Both A and B

Question 10

Cellular effects of excitotoxicity include:

A)Excessive production of lactic acid.
B)Destruction of cellular proteins.
C)Cellular edema.
D)Interference of mitochondria functions.
E)All of the above

Question 11

Astrocytes may impact synaptic plasticity by:

A)Modulating neurotransmitter release
B)Modulating postsynaptic receptor expression
C)Modulating new synapse formation
D)All of the above

Question 12

Which one of the following processes contributes to experience-dependent plasticity?

A)Synthesis of new proteins
B)Growth of new synapses
C)Modification of existing synapses
D)A,B,and C

Question 13

Which one of the following statements about constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT)is true?

A)CIMT results in functional reorganization of the cortex.
B)CIMT should be initiated within 5 days after the onset of stroke.
C)CIMT involves the constraint of the unaffected UE and intense task-related practice of the affected UE.
D)Both A and C

Question 14

Neurogenesis is defined as the:

A)Release of NGF to stimulate axonal regeneration.
B)Addition of AMPA receptors to the postsynaptic membrane.
C)Ability of stem cells to create new neurons in the brain.
D)None of the above

Question 15

Neurons that are deprived of oxygen for a prolonged period:

A)Release glycine,which inhibits the postsynaptic neurons and prevents neural function even in neurons not directly affected by the oxygen deprivation.
B)Become inactive and slowly regenerate.
C)Release glutamate,which causes overexcitation of the surrounding neurons.
D)A,B,and C
E)None of the above

Question 16

Which one of the following externally applied devices is capable of enhancing or inhibiting motor learning and memory formation?

A)Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
B)Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
C)Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
D)Computed tomography (CT)

Question 17

In the mature central nervous system (CNS),axonal regeneration is impeded by which of the following?

A)Glial scar formation
B)Absence of neural growth factor
C)Release of growth inhibiting factors
D)Both A and B
E)A,B,and C

Question 18

Which one of the following rehabilitation mechanisms promotes neural plasticity?

A)Task-specific practice
B)Early initiation of rehabilitation
C)Bed rest
D)Both A and B