Brain Plasticity A look at what we have learned this semester

Brain plasticity is the capacity of the brain to change with learning.

To change, there needs to be stimulating activity in the neurons

Activities must be rigorous and engaging

Types of activities include music, taking challenging classes and learning a new skill

Definition of Brain Plasticity

Brain plasticity tells us that we do have control over how we age, and that we can build new neurons at any age!

Why is it important to us?

London Cab drivers have a larger hippocampus (site of memory storage) from having to negotiate constantly changing routes

Learning a musical instrument demonstrated increased brain size

Bilingual speakers have a larger parietal cortex

Learning a musical instrument before age 7 had lasting benefits on brain plasticity

Real life examples of brain plasticity (as shown in our readings)

Negative brain plasticity occurs when you practice behaviors which are not healthy for your brain

Examples include: Disuse (relying on subtitles instead of trying to focus on

the words)

Sedentary lifestyle (less connections because of less stimulation)

Negative learning (looking for easy solutions instead of striving to learn more)

What is negative brain plasticity?

Activities that will improve your brain plasticity are:

Novel

Engaging

Rewarding

Meaningful

These activities will increase neuronal connections, increase neuromodulator release and thereby improve brain plasticity!

To improve brain plasticity

Cognitive reserve is a theory that suggests the more learning will result in brain growth.

It is a positive theory that suggests that you have control over your brain plasticity

It is contrasted with another theory (brain reserve) which suggests that you have a maximum capacity over which there can be no improvement

RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT COGNITIVE RESERVE IS A VERY REAL POSSIBILITY!

Cognitive Reserve and brain plasticity

Research is pretty much agreed that physical activity can increase plasticity in the brain

Area which is directly influenced by exercise is hippocampus (memory center)

Dancing is especially beneficial because it requires both body and brain!

Even modest exercise (walking at an easy pace) has been shown to improve cognition

Physical activity and brain plasticity

Listening to music creates pleasure, often because of the anticipation of what notes will follow, and then a surprise when the notes vary from what is expected

Each of these behaviors release neuromodulators, which positively affect brain plasticity

Music and brain plasticity

Brain HQ activities release neurotransmitters which will affect plasticity

Memory activities release dopamine Attention activities release acetycholine Activities improve processing speed by improving neuronal

network, increasing brain plasticity Activities also improve efficiency, which also increases brain

plasticity People skills activities require paying attention (releasing

acetycholine) Intelligence activities encourage building memory skills to

develop mental control skills, increasing neuronal network

Brain HQ and brain plasticity

Choose activities that are rewarding, novel, engaging and meaningful. Avoid disuse, negative learning and the sedentary lifestyle. Participate in brain fitness activities to further enhance your brain plasticity.

Improving brain plasticity is up to you!