Neuroplasticity is a scientific term that refers to the plasticity of the human brain. Other terms you will hear that mean the same thing are cortical re-mapping and cortical plasticity. And though this term is largely scientific, its underlying mechanisms are much less complicated than the term implies.
When it comes to neuroplasticity, this term refers to functions that occur within the brain in order to enhance the overall productivity of the brain and its functions. Neuroplasticity then specifically refers to how neurons, the name given specifically to brain cells, how they change and are organized within the brain's system.
The cells in the brain known as neurons are arranged in a manner whereby they are all interconnected, and learning within the brain occurs when these interconnections are strengthened through changes. Plasticity is the term that refers to the strengthening of learning at the levels of connections, not at the cellular level. So in other words, when more connections are shared between neurons, or new neurons are added to existing connections, neuroplasticity will occur.
For many years, outside of the loss of neurons through brain damage or excessive toxins such as drug or alcohol use, it had been believed that our brain was incapable of changing. That it was a fixed entity that could not grow or strengthen with time, outside of the natural course of growth and development. No longer is this believed to be the case, with neuroplasticity research showing that the brain is in fact a "plastic" entity if you will, that is capable of changing and growing when met with the right variables.
It is now believed that environmental changes can alter an individuals' cognition and behavior. Cognition refers to the notion of thought processes and thought systems. So if we now know that environmental elements can change, or mould the plasticity of the brain, we can use this as an effective tool in the treatment of psychological disorders and dysfunctions. This is particularly interesting when it comes to disorders and dysfunctions that are caused by faulty thought processes, because if the brain is plastic enough to strengthen and grown through external changes, then we can use neuroplasticity to mould an individual's thought processes and change or alter any psychological impairment they may be suffering from as a result.
No comments:
Post a Comment