Brain Plasiticity: Not a Dream, But Reality

Brain Evolution

More Details regarding Neuroplasticity:
Another excellent link, this on Brain Healing and Neuroplasticity from Dr. Michael (Mike) Merzenich, the Francis Sooy Professor in the Keck Center for Integrative Neurosciences at the University of California at San Francisco.

This link outlines why we should have neuroplasticity on our collective brain function radar. The  brain plasticity concept underscores more positive prognoses for so many brain interventions, from antidepressants that significantly improve levels of BDNF [Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor – in common parlance, “brain fertilizer”], to specific brain retraining post injury, post concussion.

Some notes from Mike's post:
From “Hard-Wired” to “Plastic”

There is now widespread consensus among neuroscientists that the brain retains its ability to change throughout life, but that wasn’t always the case. Just a few decades ago, most scientists believed that different areas of the brain were “hard-wired” shortly after birth to handle different aspects of brain function. A small cohort of neuroscientists challenged that idea. We argued that certain cognitive changes, such as recovery from stroke or the learning of new skills, demonstrated that the brain had the capability to change itself at any age given the right conditions. Over the past 20 years, we scientists have shown – in one brain area after another and in system after system – that the brain is actually highly adaptive (or plastic) in adults and remains so throughout life.

All of these new insights offer many more possibilities for anyone with brain injury, aging, PTSD or other brain function challenges.

-Send me a note if you have some interesting experiences with your own brain changes.