Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity (pronounced: /ˌnʊəroʊplæˈstɪsɪti/), also known as brain plasticity or neural plasticity, is the ability of the brain to change throughout an individual's life. The term was first coined in the 1970s by Polish neuroscientist Jerzy Konorski.
Etymology
The term "neuroplasticity" is derived from the root 'neuro' meaning nerve and 'plasticity' from the Greek 'plastikos' meaning to mold or shape.
Definition
Neuroplasticity refers to the potential that the brain has to reorganize by creating new neural pathways to adapt, as it needs. This is the fundamental mechanism through which the brain can recover from brain injury and adapt to new situations or changes in the environment.
Mechanisms
Neuroplasticity occurs on a variety of levels, ranging from cellular changes due to learning, to large-scale changes involved in cortical remapping in response to injury. The role of neuroplasticity is widely recognized in neurorehabilitation and is the basis of techniques such as cognitive therapy.
Related Terms
- Synaptic plasticity: The ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time, in response to increases or decreases in their activity.
- Cortical remapping: The process by which an existing cortical map is affected by a stimulus resulting in a 'remapping' of the brain's cortex.
- Neurogenesis: The process of birth of neurons wherein the brain cells, known as neurons, are produced by neural stem cells.
- Neurorehabilitation: A complex medical process which aims to aid recovery from a nervous system injury, and to minimize and/or compensate for any functional alterations resulting from it.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Neuroplasticity
- Wikipedia's article - Neuroplasticity
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