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Neuroplasticity This is important because it is the process that the Maguire study and the Blakemore & Cooper study both investigate what is possible with neoroplasticity. In Maguire, It was shown that parts of the brain can increase in size as the amount of information it has to handle increases. Blakemore & Cooper showed that nerve cells in the eye can alter their orientation because of the "training" they had received before the "critical period" for the development of seeing vertical and horizontal edges had finished. The next question is what is neuroplasticity? Well, my friendly Artificial Intelligence program, called Co-Pilot, has provided me with an answer: "Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to adapt, change, and reorganise itself throughout our lives. It is the process by which we learn new things, recover from injury and reshape our habits by rewiring nervous connections." It used to be thought that once a person had reached adulthood their brains had become "fixed" and would no longer change. Indeed, there are some areas of the brain that do seem to be specialised for certain functions and damage here can lead to disability of function. However, recovery is sometimes possible if the damage is not too severe and the person has the ability to continue training even though progress can be painfully slow. How does neuroplasticity work? Learning and Experience - when you learn new skills, like playing the piano, learning to touch type, the nerve pathways that deal with this are strengthened. Recovery from injury - after a stroke, sometimes other areas of the brain can take on the function of the parts that have been damaged. Pruning and growth - pathways that are no longer used can be cut, which may explain forgetting, and pathways that continue to be used may be strengthened. There are different types of neuroplasticity, which describe the process that happens. Types of neuroplasticity: Functional Plasticity - this refers to the brain shifts the function from a damaged area to a fresh area. Structural Plasticity - this referes to the process of changing the structure of the brain by pruning and growing new pathways. Adaptive mechanisms - this includes cortical re-mapping and cross-modal reassignment (e.g. using touch instead of sight) and map extension. There are benefits to having a brain that can adapt: Skill Acquisition - easier learning of new hobbies, languages etc. Resilience - helps the brain respond to stress, illness of trauma. Mental Health - positive habits and therapy can reshape thought patterns helping in depression and anxiety. How to boost your own neuroplasticity: Challenge you brain - try new activities, puzzles or learning experiences. Physical exercise - improves blood flow and supports brain health. Sleep and rest - essential for consolidatign new network connections. Minfullness and Stress Management - reduces the barriers to healthy rewiring. Social interactions - interacting with others encourages diverse brain activity. Two final things to remember. 1. Neuroplasticity can be positive or negative, just like good habits are strengthened, harmful habits can reinforce maladtive behaviours and thoughts. 2.Neuroplasticity doe not provide and instant fix - it requires consistent effort and time. Finally, have a look at this video I found on You-Tube. Click here to read a summary of the Blakemore and Cooper 1970 study |
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