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BRAIN PLASTICITY - Coggle Diagram
BRAIN PLASTICITY
Brain plasticity
refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt - modifying its own structure and function - as a result of experience
the brain continues to create the new neural pathways and alter existing ones to adapt to new experiences as a result of learning
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negative neuroplasticity = the brain over time shrinks, becomes less efficient, is less protected and is essentially older that it otherwise would be
video games
they found a significant increase in grey matter (cell bodies) in various brain areas including the cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum
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kuhn et al. 2014 compared a control group with a video game training group that was trained for 2 months for at least 30 min per day
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concluded that video game training had resulted in new synaptic connections in brain areas involved in spatial navigation, strategic planning, working memory and motor performance - skills that were important in playing the game successfully
synaptic pruning
it strengthens important connections and eliminated weaker unnecessary neuronal structures, creating more effective neural communication
the selection of the pruned neurons follows the 'use it or lose it' principle, meaning that synapses that are frequently used have strong connections, while the rarely used synapses are eliminated
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Experience
new experiences enable nerve pathways that are used frequently to develop stronger connection, whereas neurons are rarely or never used eventually die. the brain therefore has the ability to adapt to a changing environment
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Maguire conclusion = the study demonstrated plasticity of the hippocampus in response to environmental demands
age
there is a natural decline in cognitive functioning with age that can be attributed to changes in the brain, which has motivated researchers to look at how new connections can be made to reverse this effects