Draganski et al. 2004

Research Method

Longitudinal study

Research Technique

MRI brain imaging

Sample

Medical students and a non-studying control group

Procedure

- MRI scans taken before and after 3 months of intense exam study

- Compared changes in brain structure between the two groups

Results

- Increased gray matter in the hippocampus and parietal cortext in the students

- Brain regions involved in memory and learning showed physical growth

- Likely pruning of less-used synapses to improve cognitive efficiency

Conclusion

- Neural pruning and growth are part of experience-dependent neuroplasticity

- Brain adapts structurally to intellectual stimulation

- Supports idea that learning reshapes the brain throughout life

Neural Pruning Definition

The eliimination of weak/unused synaptic connections to improve brain efficiency

Neuroplasticity Definition

The brain’s ability to change structurally and functionally in response to learning or experience.

Implications

- relevance for rehabilitation after brain injury, as therapies that stimulate specific cognitive functions might encourage regrowth and pruning to optimize brain recovery.