Synaptic Plasticity

Neuroplasticity

The brain’s ability to change as a result of experiences, causing physical changes and impacting learning capacity.

Synaptic Plasticity

The process of neuroplasticity at a single cell level, involving changes in synaptic connections over time due to activity or experience.

Hebb’s Rule

Neurons that fire together, wire together.

Long Term Potentiation (LTP)

Increase in synapse strength due to high frequency stimulation of the neural pathway.

Long Term Depression (LTD)

The long lasting reduction of the efficiency of synaptic connections between neurons that are not regularly fired.

Sprouting

Creation of new extensions on neurons to increase the likelihood and number of new connections with other neurons.

Rerouting

Re-establishing neural connections by creating alternate pathways.

Pruning

Removing old neural connections that are no longer adequately activated.

Critical Periods

Specific times in development when the brain is particularly receptive to acquiring new neurons.

Adaptive Plasticity

When neurons adapt to changes such as brain damage by taking on new roles.

Developmental Plasticity

Natural changes in the brain's structure and function that occur across the lifespan.

Circuit Formation

The process by which neurons find other complementary neurons and create synapses, forming a circuit.

Myelination

The process of forming a myelin sheath around a nerve to increase the speed of transmission.

Synaptogenesis

The creation of new pathways that didn’t exist before.

Proliferation

The rapid creation of neurons at birth.

Migration

Movement of neurons to the areas where they are needed most.

Circuit Pruning

The process where the body eliminates unused neural circuits.

Experience-Dependent Plasticity

The concept that experience determines which synapses are retained or pruned.

Filigree Appendages

Extra growth on axon terminals of presynaptic neurons that increase release sites for neurotransmitters.

Learning from Mistakes

The brain utilizes Long Term Depression to prune incorrect neural pathways and Long Term Potentiation to strengthen correct pathways.