Available online
Description
The programme looks at three features of plasticity in the central nervous system; regrowth of neurones in the olfactory system, 'rewiring' of the spinal cord, and altered brain connections after e...lectrical stimulation.
The programme looks at three features of plasticity in the central nervous system; regrowth of neurones in the olfactory system, 'rewiring' of the spinal cord, and altered brain connections after e...lectrical stimulation.
| Module code and title: | SD286, "Biology, brain and behaviour" |
|---|---|
| Item code: | SD286; 08 |
| First transmission date: | 13-06-1981 |
| Published: | 1981 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:35 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Neil Cameron |
| Contributors: | Sean Murphy; Geoff Raisman |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Central nervous system; Hippocampus; Neurons; Plasticity |
| Footage description: | Film shots of a woman operating a potter's wheel and a patient in a hospital bed. Commentary by Sean Murphy explains that both sustained extensive nerve damage, the one to the hand and the other a broken back. He goes on with a general introduction to the programme. With the aid of a graphics board, Sean Murphy outlines the three categories of experimental observation of plasticity in the central nervous system which will be discussed; development, recovery and learning. Sean Murphy interviews Geoff Raisman at the National Institute for Medical Research who discusses the research being carried out there on a unique property of the olfactory system in mice; the continuous production of new nerve cells which project to the olfactory bulb. Animated diagrams and micrographs help to illustrate his points. The programme goes on to look at research on recovery of nerve function after injury. Prof. Pat Wall describes an experiment in which spinal cord nerve cells are lesioned and the recovery of function observed. Animated diagrams illustrate his points. The programme now rjoes on to examine an experimental approach to plasticity in which researchers look to see whether stimulation of a particular pathway can result in long term changes in the central nervous system. Tim Bliss describes an experiment in which he records the response of cells in the hippocampus before and after electrical stimulation. Animated diagrams and a split screen oscilloscope are used to follow the experiment. Sean Murphy, in the studio, summarises the programme. |
| Master spool number: | HOU3591 |
| Production number: | FOUS179L |
| Videofinder number: | 2080 |
| Available to public: | no |
