"Neuroplasticity, also known as neural plasticity, or brain plasticity, is the ability of neural networks in the brain to change through growth and reorganization."
The ability of the nervous system to change and adapt in response to experience.
Basic brain anatomy: Understanding the structures and functions of the brain is essential to learning about neuroplasticity.
Neuron: The basic unit of the nervous system.
Neurotransmitters: Chemicals in the brain that transmit signals between neurons.
Synapses: The junction between two neurons where neurotransmitters are released.
Neural networks: Groups of neurons that work together to perform a specific function.
Brain development: How the brain develops from birth through adulthood.
Brain plasticity: The ability of the brain to change and adapt.
Neural plasticity: The ability of neurons to change and adapt.
Experience-dependent plasticity: Changes in the brain that occur as a result of experience.
Synaptic plasticity: Changes in the strength of synapses in response to activity.
Brain injury: How the brain adapts and changes following injury.
Neurodegenerative disease: Diseases that cause gradual loss of brain function and damage to neurons.
Neuroimaging: Techniques used to visualize and study the brain, such as MRI and PET scans.
Cognitive rehabilitation: Interventions aimed at improving cognitive function following brain injury or disease.
Brain-computer interfaces: Technology that allows communication between the brain and an external device.
Brain-machine interfaces: Technology that allows control of external devices through the brain.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation: A non-invasive technique that uses magnetic fields to stimulate neurons in the brain.
Transcranial direct current stimulation: A non-invasive technique that uses electrical currents to stimulate neurons in the brain.
Neurofeedback: A type of biofeedback that uses visual or auditory feedback to train the brain to regulate its function.
Long-Term Potentiation (LTP): This type of neuroplasticity refers to the strengthening of neural connections between neurons that result from repeated stimulation.
Long-Term Depression (LTD): The weakening of neural connections between neurons due to reduced stimulation.
Neural Pruning: The process of eliminating unnecessary and weak neural connections to allow for more efficient neural communication.
Synaptogenesis: The creation of new neural connections between neurons, forming new pathways for information to travel.
Neurogenesis: Refers to the growth of new neurons in the brain, often in regions that play a role in memory and learning.
Habituation: A decrease in response to repeated stimulation, resulting in a reduction of neural activity.
Sensitization: An increase in response to a particular stimulus after repeated exposure, resulting in an increase in neural activity.
Hebbian Plasticity: Describes the idea that neurons that fire together wire together. This type of plasticity establishes new neural networks and strengthens existing ones.
"It is when the brain is rewired to function in some way that differs from how it previously functioned."
"Examples of neuroplasticity include circuit and network changes that result from learning a new ability, information acquisition, environmental influences, practice, and psychological stress."
"Neuroplasticity was once thought by neuroscientists to manifest only during childhood."
"Research in the latter half of the 20th century showed that many aspects of the brain can be altered (or are 'plastic') even through adulthood."
"The developing brain exhibits a higher degree of plasticity than the adult brain."
"Activity-dependent plasticity can have significant implications for healthy development, learning, memory, and recovery from brain damage."
"Other forms of neuroplasticity include homologous area adaptation, cross modal reassignment, map expansion, and compensatory masquerade."
"These changes range from individual neuron pathways making new connections."
"These changes range from... systematic adjustments like cortical remapping or neural oscillation."
"It is when the brain is rewired to function in some way that differs from how it previously functioned."
"Environmental influences, practice, and psychological stress" can influence neuroplasticity.
The paragraph does not mention any limits to neuroplasticity.
"Psychological stress" is mentioned as one of the factors influencing neuroplasticity.
"Information acquisition" can lead to circuit and network changes through neuroplasticity.
"Learning a new ability" can induce circuit and network changes through neuroplasticity.
"Systematic adjustments like cortical remapping" are mentioned as part of neuroplasticity.
"The ability of neural networks in the brain to change through growth and reorganization" suggests practical implications for rehabilitation, learning, and recovery.
"Neuroplasticity can have significant implications for... memory."
"Environmental influences" are mentioned as one of the factors influencing neuroplasticity.