Neural Plasticity: The Growth of Learning

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Neural Plasticity:

The Growth of Learning

Over the years, the brain’s ability to rejuvenate or dynamically adapt has been meticulously researched and documented, regarding questions of learning, injury, aging and disease. “Neural plasticity (also referred to as brain plasticity, cortical plasticity or cortical re-mapping)…was first proposed in 1890 by William James in The Principles of Psychology, though the idea was largely neglected for the next fifty years." (Squidoo, 2010, para. 1)

Since that time, many questions have been asked and answered, such as: Is it possible for humans improve cognitive skills or abilities through regenerative measures? In order to better understand the processes and many benefits of plasticity, further assessment of information related to the following areas will be necessary:

1. What is Neural Plasticity?

2. Does this process offer relief to brain injury victims?

3. What are the effects of plasticity to an aging brain?

4. Can plasticity ever be harmful?

What is Neural Plasticity?

“Plasticity IS the capacity of the brain to change with learning” (Michelon, 2008, para. 8). More specifically, it is a process of modifying the purpose and configuration of neurons, as well as the construction and fortification of synaptic connections. These adaptive alterations to the mapping of the brain, which most profoundly take place in younger people, are in response to positive or negative stimulation from a person’s body or factors of their environment.

Axonal growth, as part of this development, allows for substantial connectivity towards sensory perception, reflexes and many other daily actions that are generally taken for granted. Successful repair of nerve damage or improve overall brain functio...

... middle of paper ...

...e very people, for in the course of their dilemmas, I gained most of the knowledge used herein.

References

Jones, S., Nyberg, L., Sandblom, J., Neely, A. S., Ingvar, M., Petersson, K. M., & Backman, L. (2006). Cognitive and neural plasticity in aging: General and task-specific limitations. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral reviews, 30, 864-871. Retrieved May 15, 2010, from http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=18145821

Moller, A. (2008, July 22). Neural Plasticity: For Good and Bad. Progress of Theoretical Physics, 173, 48-65. doi: 10.1177

Squidoo. (2010). Neuroplasicity Explained. Retrieved May 14, 2010, from http://www.squidoo.com/newbrain

Michelon, P. (2008, Feb 26). Brain Plasticity: How learning changes your brain. SharpBrains.

Retrieved May 15, 2010, from http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/26/brain-plasticity-how-learning-changes-your-brain/

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