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Learn about the brain's innate responses to insults and how identifying adaptive and maladaptive patterns can inform treatment strategies to support recovery and reduce sustained deficits. Explore the time course of neural responses post-brain injury and ways to implement effective treatment approaches. Discover the technology needed for assessing brain activity and neurotransmitter levels to optimize treatment outcomes.
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Learning What the Brain Already Knows Theresa D. Hernández, Ph.D. Associate Professor Behavioral Neuroscience Program Department of Psychology University of Colorado, Boulder
Approach • Understanding the brain’s innate response to insult makes it possible to identify: • adaptive patterns associated with functional improvement. • maladaptive patterns (and their triggers) associated with sustained deficits. • the time course of each.
Time Brain Injury Neural Response Cascade ADAPTIVE Neural Depression Growth Factors Seizures MALADAPTIVE Atrophy Neurodegeneration Epilepsy Behavioral Change Diminishing Deficits and Disability Sustained Deficits and Disability
Application • Development and Utilization of Treatment Strategies that: • support and/or do not interfere with adaptive patterns. • reduce likelihood of maladaptive patterns. • take into account the time course of each. • Recognition and Discontinued Use of Treatment Strategies that promote maladaptive patterns. • Implementation by physicians and care providers.
Technology • Tools Needed • Noninvasive, sensitive, inexpensive means to assess brain activity (examples: seizures, metabolism) repeatedly and/or continuously. • Sensitive means to detect neurotransmitters (ex. glutamate) or growth factors in blood or other body fluid that accurately reflects levels in brain. • Means by which to disseminate information to physicians and care providers as to the timing and nature of optimal treatment strategies.