Outline neural pruning with reference to one relevant study.

Refer to the paper 1 section A markbands when awarding marks. These can be found under the “Your tests” tab > supplemental materials.

The command term “outline” requires candidates to give a brief account of neural pruning with reference to one relevant study.

Relevant studies may include, but are not limited to:

• Draganski et al.’s (2004) study investigating the effects of learning juggling on the brain after training and after a period of latency
• Bremner et al.’s (2003) study investigating hippocampal atrophy in PTSD
• Maguire et al.’s (2000) study suggesting pruning in the anterior hippocampus of experienced taxi drivers
• Squeglia et al.’s (2013) study suggesting a negative correlation between cortical thickness in the frontal lobe and age.

An outline of the concept of neural pruning may include:

• the role of long-term potentiation
• the development of children’s brains
• a decrease in dendritic branching leading to a decrease in synaptic connections
• neuronal cell death.

If a candidate refers to more than one study, credit should only be given to the first study.

If a candidate outlines neural pruning without making reference to a study, up to a maximum of [5] should be awarded.

If a candidate only describes an appropriate study without outlining neural pruning, up to a maximum of [4] should be awarded.

The response must make a link between neural pruning and the chosen study; however, a link between the study and human behaviour is not required.

Candidates showed appropriate knowledge and understanding of neural pruning and its relation to neuroplasticity. Draganski et al. and Maguire et al. were the two most cited studies.

Top band responses gave a detailed account of the process of neural pruning and its role in neuroplasticity, with explicit mention of the cerebral area involved in the chosen study.

Low band responses outlined only neuroplasticity or described neurotransmission without mentioning neural pruning.