After reading Chapter 13 of your course text and
viewing Brain Injuries and Fix Me: Unlocking the Possibilities of
Stem Cell Research, which cover brain injury and repair, analyze the
clinical, biological, and psychological factors that are important in
successful brain function recovery outcomes. How can the brain repair itself or
restore lost function after TBI or other brain damage (focus on the concept of
neuroplasticity)? Wilson (2012) lists ways that the brain can repair
itself, but reminds us later in the chapter that, in most areas of the brain,
replication of neurons by mitosis to replace lost/dead neurons only occurs in
immature brains (i.e., essentially those younger than age two). There are some areas
(e.g., the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory) that have
neurogenesis, but other areas of the brain must utilize neuroplasticity to
restore lost function.
In addition, discuss what clinical, biological, and psychological factors are
important in successful brain function recovery outcomes. What are some
clinical interventions (e.g., medication, surgery, stem cell therapy, physical
therapy, occupational therapy, rehabilitation techniques, and psychotherapy)
that help facilitate the restoration of lost brain function? Include
information on brain structures, pathways, neurotransmitters/receptors, and
psychological factors when discussing the topic areas above. Additional
emphasis should be placed on relating the underlying pathology of brain trauma
and damage to the actual biologic mechanism of how various treatments support
repair or restoration of function.
In keeping with the focus of this class, the emphasis should be placed on the
role of neurotransmitter and receptor systems, neuroanatomical structures, and
neurological functional pathways. You must use a minimum of one peer-reviewed
source that was published within the last five years, documented in APA style,
as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Your post should be a minimum of
250 words. You may cite and reference your textbook, required reading
and/or multimedia, but these will not fulfill the source requirement.
