A 3-year-old child is brought to a pediatric clinic for a ro…

A 3-year-old child is brought to a pediatric clinic for a routine check-up. The parents mention that the child has been exposed to a rich language environment at home, with frequent reading sessions and conversations. The child is developing language skills rapidly and is able to form simple sentences. Which type of neural plasticity is represented in this scenario?

A 62-year-old man is referred for occupational therapy. His…

A 62-year-old man is referred for occupational therapy. His wife reports, “He used to work in the garage, play golf with his friends, and keep up with house projects. Lately, he just sits most of the day.”  The therapist considers this may represent an early sign of Parkinson’s disease though on examination, he shows no tremor, rigidity, or slowed movement.  Which phase of motor control is most likely affected?

You are working with a client who had a left middle cerebral…

You are working with a client who had a left middle cerebral artery cerebral vascular accident (CVA). During your initial evaluation, they ask you, “Now that my brain has damage, will I ever get those parts back?”. You explain to your client that undamaged brain areas that know how to handle the same functions as the damaged areas can take over those functions. Which neurorehabilitation principle did you describe?

You worked as a server during your undergraduate education….

You worked as a server during your undergraduate education. You still remember the names of people you worked with, the best-selling specials, the good tippers (and the bad…), the time you dropped an entire tray of glasses that shattered on the floor, and more. What brain area helps you recall these past experiences?

An older adult with spinal stenosis at the C6 level presents…

An older adult with spinal stenosis at the C6 level presents with neck pain, weakness and fine motor difficulties in both upper extremities. She states that symptoms interfere with their ability to wash her face, apply makeup, and style her hair. Imaging reveals a small lesion in the spinal cord. Which spinal tracts are most likely affected? Left: corticospinal tract; Middle: dorsal columns medial lemniscus (DCML); Right: spinothalamic tract. 

Emily, a 30-year-old woman, was involved in a car accident a…

Emily, a 30-year-old woman, was involved in a car accident and sustained a cervical spinal cord injury. She reports she cannot move her legs or feel hot/cold sensations below the injury, but she can detect the position of her limbs. Which spinal cord syndrome is most consistent with this presentation?