Functions and Limitations of Neural Plasticity - Research Paper Example

Functions and Limitations of Neural Plasti in the Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury Affiliation with more information about affiliation, research grants, conflict of interest and how to contact Functions and Limitations of Neural Plasticity in the Recovery from Traumatic Brain Injury Introduction: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) can be defined as the trauma of the head, of a score of “3 to 8” on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), which is a significant concern in “critical care medicine” (Haddad & Arabi, 2012, p.1). TBI is generally classified into primary and secondary brain injury wherein the former refers to the “physical damage to parenchyma” as a result of any traumatic event that entails the “shearing and compression” of the tissues in brain (p.1). On the other hand, secondary brain injury is the outcome of a “complex process” that subsequently complicates the primary injury in the brain (p.1). The patients with TBI needs monitoring through ECG, pulse oxymetry, arterial BP, CVP etc apart from checking of “temperature, urine output” and serum electrolytes (p.2). TBI involves stress to the tissues of brain and also causes the lack of balance between “CBF and metabolism” apart from excitotoxicity, formation of edema and inflammation (Werner & Engelhard, 2007, p.7). Plasticity, on the other hand, denotes a trait that enables the nervous system to transform its “organization and ultimately its function” throughout a person’s lifespan (Kolb, Gibb & Robinson, 2003, p.1). Thus, the nervous system acquires the ability to change its basic attributes and when such transformations happen in humans, corresponding changes occur in the “behavior or psychological” functions (p.1). Understanding the mechanism of plasticity is of significance because it will help the medical fraternity to gain an in depth knowledge on brain development and behavior apart from learning the reasons of “normal and abnormal behaviors (p.1). Studies further suggest that transformations in the neural circuits, or neural plasticity, can cause certain behavioral patterns including addiction or “neurological and psychiatric disorders” (p.4). Functions of Neural Plasticity: Studies further corroborate the notion that factors which “affect neuronal structure” include injury to the brain tissues, and it can alter behavioral pattern in humans (p.2). When individuals sustain brain injury, the “synaptic organization” of their brain can become disrupted but due to the trait of plasticity, the subsequent functional improvements can help reorganize the neural circuits (p.2). Thus, this characteristic of the brain tissues will help the individuals to recover from the injury and attain normal motor functionality. Evidence emerging from various studies substantiate the contention that if the potentials of neural plasticity can be harnessed appropriately, it can be deployed as an effective tool in mitigating the loss of brain tissues with “cognitive training” even in aged populations (Chapman et al, 2013, p.1). Research evidence identifies brain insults such as TBI as the major cause of death of cells in the brain but propose that by attaining the knowledge about various “mechanism that enhance” the capabilities of neural plasticity, this problem can be overcome to a great extent (Wieloch & Nikolich, 2006, p.1). Neural plasticity facilitates the “activation of cell repair” that helps restore the damaged cells and allows the formation of new tissues in the brain region thus enabling the patients’ recovery (p.1). The area of penumbra in the brain is one site that can compensate for the “lost functions” and those tissues that survive in brain injury, with the help of factors that can promote cell growth, stimulate certain anabolic processes that aid in the restoration of tissues (p.2). The naturally occurring recovery of brain functions because of neural plasticity, which will help cleaning of damaged tissue debris and repair of cells, can further be enhanced by different means such as enriching the environment, activation of the brain, augmenting the growth factors, and by “blocking growth inhibitors” (p.4). In addition, the deployment of stem cells into the brain, either by means direct transplantation into the injured part of the brain or “introduced systematically” can considerably enhance the recovery of brain functions (p.4). Similarly, many “therapeutic agents” are currently available can complement the treatment by acting either as protection or by helping regeneration of brain cells (p.5). Limitations of Neural Plasticity: One of the major limitation of neural plasticity is the fact that cells could not “continue to enlarge” and keep adding synapses to the brain indefinitely (Kolb, Gibb & Robinson, 2013, p.4). Thus, at some stage in the recovery process, the ability of plasticity to automatically correct the brain organization may cease and thus make normal motor functionality difficult. Similarly, it also transpires from research evidence that developing neurons ail from a limitation of being reliant on a stable amount of neuronal depolarization and they also remain vulnerable the loss of “stimulation by excitatory neurotransmitters” (Johnston, 2009, p.96). On the other hand, studies also suggest that in certain cases, plasticity can entail the “development of movement disorders” or pain of chronic nature in amputated individuals (p.100). Conclusion: Evidence examined during this research shows that neural plasticity enables the brain tissues to recover from injuries by restructuring the organization. However, the medical fraternity is yet to gain an understanding of how these changes occur in the brain and what are the “rules govern these changes” (Kolb, Gibb & Robinson, 2013, p.4). On the other hand, while plasticity has several advantages, it also suffers from some disadvantages or limitations in certain cases. Therefore, the right strategy will be to harness the TBI intervention strategies to tap the best potential of plasticity while addressing the disadvantages. Many studies indicate that exercise helps activate molecular and cellular cascades, which “support and maintain” neural plasticity and promote the vascularization of the brain apart from inducing functional changes as well as neurogenesis (Cotman & Berchtold, 2002, p.299). It is a widely accepted notion that exercise largely contributes to overall physical and mental health besides invigorating the functions of the brain. Therefore, once he recovers from any physical limitations as a result of the brain injury, Robert will be encouraged to engage in regular physical exercises to revitalize his brain and overall health. References Chapman, S. B. et al. (2013). Neural Mechanisms of Brain Plasticity with Complex Cognitive Training in Healthy Seniors. Cerebral Cortex, Advance Access Copy. Retrieved July 7, 2014, from Cotman, C. W. & Berchtold, N. C. (2002). Exercise: A Behavioral Intervention to Enhance Brain Health and Plasticity. Trends in Neurosciences, Vol.25 (6): pp.295-301 Haddad, S. H. & Arabi, Y. M. (2012). Critical Care Management of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Adults. Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine, Vol.20 (12): pp.1-15. Johnston, M. V. (2009). Plasticity in the Developing Brain: Implications for Rehabilitation. Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews, Vol.15: pp.94-101. Kolb, B., Gibb, R. & Robinson, T. E. (2003). Brain Plasticity and Behavior. Current Directions in Psychological Science, Vol.12 (1): pp.1-5. Werner, C. & Engelhard, K. (2007). Pathophysiology of Traumatic Brain Injury. British Journal of Anesthesia, Vol.99 (1): pp.4-9. Wieloch, T. & Nikolich, K. (2006). Mechanisms of Neural Plasticity Following Brain Injury. Current Opinion in Neurology, Vol.16: pp.1-7. Read More