Plasticity

what is plasticity?

The brains ability to change an adapt its structures and processes as a result of experience or new learning

what is the link between childhood and synaptic connection

• During infancy brain experiences a rapid growth and the number of sign up to connections it has

• Peaks around 15,000 connections at two and three years old slowly decreases around half in childhood

what is synaptic pruning?

Throughout life brain is constantly strengthening useful pathways and deleting unused ones

what does new research suggest about synaptic pruning?

at any time in life, the adult brain can change by developing new pathways or deleting/editing new ones

describe the Maguire et al investigation

• participants were brains of London taxi drivers

• Found significantly more grain matter and posterior hippocampus( area associated with spatial and navigational skills)

• Brain adapted and grew based on new learning

describe the draganaski et al investigation

• participants for medical students and studying brands for three months before and after their final exams

• increase in parietal cortex which was bigger

• result of new learning they had done improper exams