For decades, scientists have wondered if the brain can change throughout life. Today we know that it is.
Neurologists call this "brain plasticity." Also known as neural plasticity or neuroplasticity, it sometimes involves a process called neurogenesis, which is defined as the formation of new neurons.
Although we still don't know much about the brain, experts agree that its structure and functions are far from static. This article outlines the current research on neural plasticity and neurogenesis, its effects on aging, and what can be done to improve brain health.
"Brain plasticity" refers to the ability of the nervous system to transform and reorganize itself throughout life, usually in response to experiences or stimuli.
This process is not specific to humans, not even to mammals or vertebrates. In fact,even insectsexhibit neural plasticity.
in human fetusesbrainbegins to develop a few weeks after fertilization. Although genes are the blueprint for brain development, environmental factors (such as stress, hormones, diet, drugs, and relationships) can significantly influence the outcome. This is called developmental plasticity of the brain and it continues throughout childhood.
It used to be thought that brain development stopped completely a few years after puberty, but now we know that the brain continues to adapt and change well into adulthood.
While the changes are much less dramatic than in the developing brain, they are critical to our ability to learn, form memories, and recover from illness and injury.
Types of brain plasticity
There are two main types of brain plasticity:
- Functional.Functional plasticity refers to neural activity and connections and how they change in response to certain events or experiences. For example, after an injury such as a stroke, activity in certain areas of the brain may increase to make up for lost function.
- Structural.New information and experiences (for example, learning a new language, taking music lessons, or exploring the streets of a new city) can change the physical structure of the brain, causing certain areas to grow or shrink in size.
neuronsThey are the basis of the nervous system. These cells are responsible for receiving and processing information from the outside world, as well as transmitting messages throughout the body.
Neurons communicate using electrical and chemical signals that travel through a space called a synapse. These connections form intricate neural networks that help us learn.
One way to think about how brain plasticity works is a saying coined by neuroscientist Donald Hebb: "Neurons that fire together wire together." This means that when neurons are active, the connections are strengthened.
With this in mind, brain plasticity is a complex process involving molecular, cellular, and structural mechanisms that can change throughout life.
Plasticity is usually greatest in utero and in the first few years of life, when the brain is developing rapidly. While the adult brain is also capable of change, the possibilities are more limited.
There are many documented cases of brain plasticity throughout human life. Some of them are described below.
mental health during pregnancy
According
Additionally, researchers from A
Creative music therapy in premature babies
W.study 2020For 82 babies, the researchers used MRIs to see if they were creative.Terapia musicalIt can stimulate the structure and function of the brain in premature babies.
The researchers noted increased neural activity and connectivity in areas of the brain responsible for thought, social, emotional, and motor functions. In other words, music therapy can improve brain development in premature babies.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
According2016 meta-analysis, children with ASD tend to have atypical neural activity and connectivity. This can lead to challenges with social interaction, emotion recognition, and language skills, among others.
The researchers evaluated six studies that assessed brain activity after behavioral interventions to helppeople with ASDDevelop specific skills.
They reported that targeted training can significantly alter neural activity and connections, leading to significant improvements in autism symptoms. The effects were especially pronounced in younger children.
In other words, behavioral interventions that use the principle of brain plasticity to strengthen neural networks may be helpful in alleviating ASD symptoms.
Soin mothers
According to A.A., during pregnancy and postpartum, young mothers undergo a series of functional and structural adaptations of the brain.
An example of functional plasticity comes from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies. They reveal that young mothers experience increased activity in the neural circuits responsible for reward, motivation, and emotion regulation.
Studies have also shown that activation in these areas predicts sensitive parenting activities and a strong emotional bond with the child.
Besides,mothers brainsthey actually increase in size in the postpartum period. This is an example of structural plasticity. Researchers believe this increase occurs in areas of the brain associated with parenting.
Ssubstance use
substance use disorderit can cause lasting changes in areas of the brain related to rewards and motivation, habit formation, and decision-making processes.
According to A., the process can be similar to what happens when we learn something new through practice and reinforcement.2018 review.However, when psychoactive substances are used, science is not beneficial.
"Neurogenesis" refers to the formation of new neurons. This is an important part of brain plasticity, but it is not the only example.
New neurons are formed mainly before birth and in the first years of life, when the brain is still developing. They then migrate and differentiate to perform a wide range of functions in the nervous system. There are thousands of different types of neurons in the human brain.
Only recently have neuroscientists discovered evidence of neurogenesis in adults, but this is still the subject of intense debate.
According
- In the hippocampus, the formation of new neurons in this area of the brain may play a role in long-term memory and learning.
- In the subventricular zone, the generation of new neurons in this zone has been linked to our sense of smell.
What is the importance of brain plasticity and neurogenesis?
(Video) Maximize Your Brain Plasticity For A Super Brain - Doctor Explains Neuroplasticity
What is the importance of brain plasticity and neurogenesis?
The plasticity of the brain is crucial for human development from the moment the nervous system begins to form in the embryo. In fact, it is difficult to imagine what human life would be like if the brain had not changed and evolved.
Without the ability to learn from new stimuli, would we still be unique individuals? Could we hone skills, learn facts, or create memories? For example, people who have experiencedstrikeor traumatic brain injury, will he be able to recover?
Brain plasticity plays a key role in all of these adaptive abilities.
Several current studies are also focusing on the importance of neuroplasticity and neurogenesis in the aging process. Especially,
Brain plasticity varies greatly from person to person. While age is a key factor, researchers believe that personality and lifestyle play a role as well.
In this case, it may be possible to increase neuroplasticity and neurogenesis with certain behaviors. This includes the following proven actions:
- Regular exercise.regular exercisepromotes neuroplasticity. To make exercise a part of your life and continue to do so regularly, find an activity that you enjoy and that keeps you moving.
- Dealing with stress.According to A. Stress can reduce neuronal plasticity and neurogenesis.2022 revision. While you can't completely avoid stress, you cantake actionminimize and manage its effects.
- A nutritious diet.
Evidence suggests that a diet high in fat and sugar may affect neurogenesis in adults. The consumption of polyphenols, such asturmeric, can promote neuroplasticity. - continuing education.Science is a proven way.increase brain work. Try taking classes, learning a new language, playing an instrument, reading books, playing games, or solving puzzles.
- Good sleep quality.According to A.A., sleep influences synaptic plasticity
study 2017 .Try to prioritize your sleep and try to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. - Mental health care.Studiesshow thatdepressioncan prevent neural plasticity. Conversely, antidepressant treatment may increase neural plasticity in adults.
- Treatment of substance use disorders.According to A., disorders associated with the consumption of alcohol and psychoactive substances can reduce neuroplasticity
2020 review . If you find it difficult to cope with or stop using alcohol or drugs,help is available now.
Plasticity allows the brain to adapt to new situations, experiences, and environments throughout life. It is most evident in embryos and children, whose brains are still developing and slow down as they age.
Despite this, there are many examples of neuroplasticity in adulthood. Research suggests that the areas of the brain responsible for learning and memory may even produce new neurons. This process is called neurogenesis.
Greater brain plasticity has also been linked to a lower risk of age-related cognitive decline. Brain plasticity can help with a few simple steps, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, stress management, and continuous learning.
FAQs
What do brain plasticity and neurogenesis have in common? ›
What do neuroplasticity and neurogenesis have in common? Both are responses to a change in brain physiology.
What is meant by plasticity and neurogenesis in neural tissue? ›In addition, the nervous tissue in the human brain is allocated with a tremendous capacity of plasticity. Neuroplasticity or brain plasticity is defined as the ability of the nervous system to change its activity in response to intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli by reorganizing its structure, functions, or connections.
What is the big deal about brain plasticity neurogenesis and brain injury? ›Without neuroplasticity, it would be difficult to learn or otherwise improve brain function. Neuroplasticity also aids in recovery from brain-based injuries and illnesses.
What is neurogenesis and brain plasticity across the life span? ›Neuroplasticity refers to the lifelong capacity of the brain to change and rewire itself in response to the stimulation of learning and experience. Neurogenesis is the ability to create new neurons and connections between neurons throughout a lifetime. The latter process is also referred to as synaptogenesis.
Are neuroplasticity and brain plasticity the same thing? ›Neuroplasticity, also known as neural plasticity or brain plasticity, is a process that involves adaptive structural and functional changes to the brain.
What are the factors that affect neuroplasticity and neurogenesis? ›Intrinsic (hormones) and extrinsic factors (diet and exercise) are responsible for neuroplasticity and neurogenesis.
What is neural plasticity and brain development? ›Plasticity, or neuroplasticity, describes how experiences reorganize neural pathways in the brain. Long lasting functional changes in the brain occur when we learn new things or memorize new information. These changes in neural connections are what we call neuroplasticity.
What does plasticity neurogenesis have to do with age? ›Brain structural plasticity is an extraordinary tool that allows the mature brain to adapt to environmental changes, to learn, to repair itself after lesions or disease, and to slow aging.
What is the meaning of neurogenesis? ›Neurogenesis is the process by which new neurons are formed in the brain. Neurogenesis is crucial when an embryo is developing, but also continues in certain brain regions after birth and throughout our lifespan.
What is brain plasticity and why is it so important? ›Through neuroplasticity, the brain is consistently rewiring itself and modifying its connections. It can reorganize itself both in structure and how it functions. Without neuroplasticity, we wouldn't be able to do many of the things that make us human. This includes learning, developing, and forming memories.
What is brain plasticity responsible for? ›
Neural plasticity, also known as neuroplasticity or brain plasticity, can be defined as the ability of the nervous system to change its activity in response to intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli by reorganizing its structure, functions, or connections.
What is the purpose of brain plasticity? ›Neuroplasticity – or brain plasticity – is the ability of the brain to modify its connections or re-wire itself. Without this ability, any brain, not just the human brain, would be unable to develop from infancy through to adulthood or recover from brain injury.
What is brain plasticity and does it end when a person gets older? ›Plasticity in the young brain is very strong as we learn to map our surroundings using the senses. As we grow older, plasticity decreases to stabilize what we have already learned. This stabilization is partly controlled by a neurotransmitter called gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), which inhibits neuronal activity.
Does neurogenesis continue throughout life? ›Although neurogenesis continues throughout life, its rate declines with increasing age in rodents (Seki and Arai 1995; Kuhn et al 1996; Kempermann et al 2002) and non-human primates (Gould, Reeves et al 1999).
Does the brain remain plastic throughout the lifespan? ›Plasticity is a critical component of brain development and maintenance across the lifespan. During development, brain plasticity underlies the formation of functional networks through experience dependent strengthening and weakening of synapses.
What is structural plasticity in neurogenesis? ›Brain structural plasticity is an extraordinary tool that allows the mature brain to adapt to environmental changes, to learn, to repair itself after lesions or disease, and to slow aging.
Why is brain plasticity important during development? ›Through neuroplasticity, the brain is consistently rewiring itself and modifying its connections. It can reorganize itself both in structure and how it functions. Without neuroplasticity, we wouldn't be able to do many of the things that make us human. This includes learning, developing, and forming memories.
What is brain development and brain plasticity? ›Plasticity, or neuroplasticity, describes how experiences reorganize neural pathways in the brain. Long lasting functional changes in the brain occur when we learn new things or memorize new information. These changes in neural connections are what we call neuroplasticity.
How neurogenesis keeps the brain fit? ›This integration allows the present experience to become integrated with memories from the recent past in order to learn and predict when events will occur in the near future. In this way, neurogenesis and learning interact to maintain a fit brain.