Principles of Experience-Dependent Neuroplasticity

"Use it or lose it"

"Failure to drive specific brain functions leads to functional degradation."

"Use it and improve it"

"Training that drives a specific brain function enhances that function."

"Specificity"

"The nature of the training experience dictates the nature of the plasticity."

"Repetition matters"

"Induction of plasticity requires sufficient repetition."

"Intensity matters"

"Different forms of plasticity occur at different times and training intensities."

"Salience matters"

"The training experience must be sufficiently meaningful to induce plasticity."

"Age matters"

"Training-induced plasticity occurs more readily in younger brains."

"Transference"

"Plasticity from one training experience can enhance acquisition of similar behaviors."

"Interference"

"Plasticity from one experience can interfere with acquisition of other behaviors."