Principles of Neuroplasticity

use it or lose it

failure to drive specific brain functions can lead to functional degradation

use it and improve it

training that drives a specific brain function can lead to an enhancement of that function

specificity matters

the nature of training experience dictates the nature of plasticity

repetition matters

induction of plasticity requires sufficient repetition

intensity matters

induction of plasticity requires sufficient training intensity

time matters

different forms of plasticity occur at different times during training

salience matters

training experience must be sufficiently salient to induce plasticity

age matters

training induced plasticity occurs more readily in younger brains

transference or generalization

plasticity in response to one training experience can enhance the acquisition of similar behaviors

interference

plasticity in response to one experience can interfere with acquisition of other behaviors