The brain reserve theory is based on the idea that biological attributes, such as brain size, synaptic connectivity, or neuronal count, lead to protective and compensatory mechanisms within the brain in the face of pathology. The theory finds that larger brains can sustain more damage before clinical deficits emerge due the sufficient neural substrate that is remaining to support normal functioning (Dekhtyar et al., 2015; Steffener & Stern, 2012). This neural substrate is thought to be a buffer created by an increased number of neurons and larger pyramidal neurons (Reed et al., 2010; Schweizer, Ware, Fischer, Craik, & Bialystok, 2012). Education, intelligence, and/ or environmental stimulation are thought to contribute the most to this increased neuronal count. The brain reserve theory suggests that intelligence is the most valid …show more content…
The environment plays a key role in influencing plasticity as it can respond to stimuli that will lead to the development of neurons to some regions of the brain, and therefore influence brain reserve (Fratiglioni &Wang, 2007). Enriched environments, including mental and physical stimulation, may promote brain development through the ‘use it or lose it’ theory. This theory implies that by actively engaging in stimulating activity during life, one can see an increase in neuronal development, but if one were to continually not be engaged then they would lose this ability (Schmand et al., 1997). Even though every individual has brain plasticity, the brain reserve theory hypothesizes that it is also the variations in every individual’s brain anatomy that will lead to different levels of its ability to handle the pathological damages before leading to the presentation of the clinical manifestations of Alzheimer’s disease (Bartres-Faz & Arenaza-Urquijo,
In “Can You Build a Better Brain”, the author, Sharon Begley discusses how the cognition processes better. He starts by presenting some experiments that prove nutrition did not support the brain smarter. According to the article, he believes that the “cognitive capacity” can be amended by concentration in people’s behavior. He further believes that people’s intelligence do not depend on own skills; however, as long as people peceive new things, their synapses and brain systems will
In the chapter “Attention Deficit: The Brain Syndrome of Our Era,” from The New Brain, written by Richard Restak, Restak makes some very good points on his view of multitasking and modern technology. He argues that multitasking is very inefficient and that our modern technology is making our minds weaker. Multitasking and modern technology is causing people to care too much what other people think of them, to not be able to focus on one topic, and to not be able to think for themselves.
Every parent desires to have a child who will be successful in life. In “Brainology” author, Carol Dweck explains that there are consequences for praising children for their work. Dweck also explains that there are different types of mindsets that enable an individual’s development. She claims that there are two types of mindsets that people have. In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work ( Dweck 1). Furthermore growth mindset individuals love learning and are resilience that is essential for great accomplishment. (Dweck 1). One more theory, Dweck mentioned was fixed mindset. The author states “In a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence
In the article “Brain Gain: The Underground World of “Neuroenhancing” Drugs” (Yorker 2009) Margaret Talbot discusses the misuse of prescription drugs that enhance academic performance at the college level. First Talbot introduces readers to a young college history major at Harvard University named Alex who receives a description of a demanding, busy life which seems impossible to control without the safety unapproved adopted use of a drug named Adderall. After that Alex’s dependency on the prescription drugs cognitive enhancers is described when he asks his doctor to increase the amount of intake and the listing of his daily routine on using Adderall during a week that required him to write four term papers. Next Talbot describes a personal
In our world, learning is more available to people. New knowledge is important for every person who like to gain information. This kind of people have their brain changing. The plasticity is responsible about that fact in the brain. The plasticity gives the brain the ability to grow up day after day. New language, dance and other activities help the brain to develop. Also, the plasticity had no limits according to time and age. We will discover the good effects of learning on brain plasticity.
Memory plays a significant role in the everyday lives of people of all ages. It allows them to recall information and remember skills that were learned in the past. Memory also organizes past information to help people make current and future decisions. However, imagine forgetting the names of close family members or not having the ability to find your keys every time you want to leave the house. These are some of the struggles that people with Alzheimer’s disease face daily. Alzheimer’s disease was first identified by German neurologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906, and was discovered to have an overpowering effect on explicit memory loss (Gruetzner, 1988). There are two types of Alzheimer’s disease – early onset and late onset. Early onset occurs in patients who are diagnosed before the age of 65 whereas late onset occurs in patients who are diagnosed after the age of 65. In the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, short-term memory is often lost. As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, problems with long-term memory begin to develop, in addition to short-term memory impairments. Although a lot is known about the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, the cause has not been conclusively identified. However, as research continues, new theories about the cause of Alzheimer’s disease are being proposed. This has led to a controversy over whether Alzheimer’s disease is caused by genetics or environmental influences (Gruetzner, 1988).
In The article “Brainology” “Carol S Dweck, a professor of psychology at Stanford University, differentiates between having a fixed and growth mindset in addition how these mindsets have a deep effect on a student’s desire to learn. Individuals who have a fixed mindset believe they are smart without putting in effort and are afraid of obstacles, lack motivation, and their focus is to appear smart.. In contrast, students with a growth mindset learn by facing obstacles and are motivated to learn. Dwecks argues that students should develop a growth mindset.
The brain is widely studied and as early as fifteen years ago the study Rethinking the Brain made public by Families and Work institute, Neuro-Scientists thought that by birth the brain...
A healthy brain can have normal aging. A normal cognitive aging leads to predictable changes in thinking and memory that are associated with getting older (Memory impairment. (2010). The normal “healthy” brain aging is defined as aging without disease. Many elderly people do not exhibit symptoms of disease and live a normal, but never less they may display a little forgetfulness (Perlmutter, David. (2004). The normal brain aging differs from pathological aging caused by diseases that damage the brain, such as Alzheimer’s or cerebrovascular disease (Me...
In the article “You Can Grow Your Brain”, it is explained that the brain is like every other muscle in the human body. The article explains that the brain can grow and become stronger when an individual is challenged and forced to practice a skill. Practicing a certain skill forces the brain to create a new pathway, which allows the skill to become easier. The article explains that when an individual is forced to practice, for example, calculus it becomes easier because the brain has formed new connection with other brain cells; this process makes it easier for individuals to problem solve. The brain needs to be worked or the current connections will be lost.
As the human body goes through different experiences, the brain grows, develops, and changes according to the environmental situations it has been exposed to. Some of these factors include drugs, stress, hormones, diets, and sensory stimuli. [1] Neuroplasticity can be defined as the ability of the nervous system to respond to natural and abnormal stimuli experienced by the human body. The nervous system then reorganizes the brain’s structure and changes some of its function to theoretically repair itself by forming new neurons. [2] Neuroplasticity can occur during and in response to many different situations that occur throughout life. Some examples of these situations are learning, diseases, and going through therapy after an injury.
The highly specialized regions of the brain give some insight into the many functions that the brain is capable of doing. So the development of the brain into specific sections that have been researched to facilitate specific functions, provides evidence that these regions are active in a normal humans lifetime. The fact that the brain has a highly ordered procedure for developing, leads researchers to believe that each region of the brain is essential. In fact, researchers have found several regions to account for one function, to imply that the collaboration of several brain regions is sometimes necessary for normal functioning.
Environmental enrichment by definition is the “stimulation of the brain by its physical and social surroundings” (Wiki, 2016). This process takes place during neurodevelopment in the brain. During neurodevelopment, the brain is exposed to a stimulating environment, which leads to higher rates of Synaptogenesis (the formation of synapses in the neurons of the nervous system), more dendrites arbours and leads to an increase in brain activity. environmenatl enrichment enhances the capillaries vascular, providing glial cells with extra energy. It is wise to note, this process occurs both in animals and humans. However, it is commonly known to have been accurately experimented on animals, for examples rats. As this essay continues, it will critically
Over the years, there have been multiple studies on the stimulation effects on the brain from brain exercises. Some of the more prominent studies are the IMPACT, ACTIVE, and IHAMS studies. First off, the IMPACT study which had 487 participants. It is the largest experiment ever to examine whether or not brain stimulants are able to improve cognitive abilities in adults. Led by distinguished scientists from Mayo Clinic and the University of Southern California, the IMPACT study proves that people can make statistically significant gains in memory and processing speed if they do the right kind of scientifically designed cognitive exercises. Studies prove that people can make statistically large gains in memory and processing speed if they do certain brain exercises.
One form of skepticism is the skepticism about the external world — the theory that we can never have any knowledge about the external world, even the existence of it; the theory also suggests that we can only know the internal world which is our own mind(Carr, lecture 8). For example, a skeptic may say “we don’t know if we have hands because what we see may be illusions” or “we don’t know if we are not brains in vats experiencing a huge hallucination”. Among many philosophers who attempt to defeat skepticism about the external world, Putnam argues that “we are brains in vats”(BIVs) is always self-falsifying because brains in vats do not satisfy the necessary condition for being able to refer to the