Topic: Brain plasticity

Principles of writing

Student: Katherine Sorrosa Morn

Teacher: Mr. Kelly Faulkner

Period: Spring I

Year: 2014


Brain Plasticity
Brain plasticity refers to adaptive capacity of the central nervous system to reduce
effects of injury, through changes that alter the structure and function (Aguilar
Rebolledo, 2012). This kind of neurological damage is seen after prenatal and neonatal
period, but, in the childhood it could happen too. In adults, brain plasticity is less than in
childhood, however, these plastic changes are found at any age (Aguilar Rebolledo,
2012).
It is also known as neuroplasticity. Many years ago, researchers believed that this
ability could happen just during the childhood (Cherry). Nowadays, modern
researchers have founded evidence which demonstrate that the brain is able to renovate
itself. The first few years of a child are a very important time of brain growth, because
by age of three, the number of synapses has grown per neuron (Cherry).
One of the most important findings of neuroplasticity is the discovery of how our senses
are connected to memory because of their interdependence. An example is the cognitive
change that exists in normal age. We get more forgetful as we grow older, in large part
it is because our brain doesnt process what we do as well as it did before. Recent
research has shown that under right circumstances, brain plasticity could help adult
minds (HQ).
This was the case of Jodi, a girl who managed to survive after a risky operation in
which her brain was divided. Her first three years of life were normal; but six weeks
after his third birthday, she began to have epilepsys episodes. After several tests
specialists could identify Jodis problem, finding that this was Rasmussens
syndrome. This syndrome is a degenerative disorder of the brain which causes
inflammation of one of the central hemispheres inhibiting the brain to function properly
(Youtube, 2011).
Apparently, electric functions of the brain were evaporating their right hemisphere from
this seizure became constant, and for this reason Jodi lost the control of her left side.
Specialists knew that the only way to help her was making an operation, so, they
thought that she would die. The operation is called hemispherectomy, the brain has a
capacity which allows it to adapt and function normally after being divided. This
capacity is the brain plasticity (Youtube, 2011).
Once realized the operation, it was a success. Jodi could continue her life as a normal
girl. The right hemisphere was removed completely and the left continue to operate
normally. This is thanks to the great ability of the brain that can change it and creates
new connections between neurons (Youtube, 2011).
Neuroplasticity is what makes personal growth and development possible at the most
basic level. With the understanding that the brain could change, is possible that you are
able to focus on the ways in which you would like to grow instead of whether or not.
The change is related to the quantity of the practice that they are performing (Torres,
2009).
After a not fatal cerebral damage, it usually occurs a recuperation that could continue by
years. The recuperation depends of many factors that include: age, damage area,
damaged tissues, rehabilitation program and environmental factors. This capacity of the
brain has come from years, but, this just has been appreciated recently. Rehabilitation
programs were developed with unprofessional people support who werent patients
family because they arent damaged by theoretical principles (Aguilar Rebolledo, 2012).
When we are adult the number of synapses is about a half that the number in our
childhood. It happens because when we gain new experiences, some connections are
strengthened while others are eliminated. This process is known as synaptic pruning.
The brain is able to adapt to the changing of the environment by developing new
connections and pruning away weak ones (Cherry).
Types of brain plasticity
Functional: it refers to the ability to move many functions from a damage area
of the brain to other undamaged areas (Cherry).
Structural: it is the ability to change its physical structure as learning (Cherry).
This ability of the brain underlies normal function as our ability modifies our behavior.
Brain plasticity in adult has been implicated as a means for recovery sensory
deprivation. In recent years, this ability has been implicated in the relief of various
neurodegenerative disorders. Recent research suggests that the pathology of some of
these disorders is associated with the loss of plasticity (Frosting).
Something important that we dont know is that neuroplasticity occurs in the brain at
the beginning of life, when the brain organizes itself; in case of injury, to compensate
lost functions and through adulthood whenever something new is learned. Genetic
factors and the environment play an important role in plasticity (Michelon, 2008).
The brain never stops changing through learning. Changes are associated with learning
mostly at the level of the connections between neurons. The brain compensates for
damage by reorganizing new connections. In this order, the neurons need to be
simulated through activity (Michelon, 2008).
There are many facts about neuroplasticity:
Fact 1: it includes several different processes that take place though a lifetime.
Many types of brain cells are involved in neuroplasticity (Chudler).
Fact 2: It has a clear age-dependent determinant. Different types of plasticity
dominate during sure periods of ones life (Chudler).
Fact 3: it occurs in the brain under to conditions:
o During normal brain development when the immature brain begins to
process sensory (Chudler).
o As an adaptive mechanism to compensate for lost function or to
maximize remaining functions in brain injury (Chudler).
Fact 4: environment plays an important role. The brain is shaped by the
characteristics of an environmental person and by their actions (Chudler).
Fact 5: It can vary by age. Certain types of changes are more predominant
during specific ages (Cherry).
Fact 6: It could happen for a result of learning or for a result of damage in the
brain (Cherry).
Neuroplasticity may also contribute to impairment. It could be, for example, when
people who are deaf may suffer from a continual ringing in their ears. It is the result of
the rewiring of brain cells ravenous for sounds. Scientists are certain that the brain
continue adjusting and reorganizing itself. Understanding brains ability to dynamically
reorganize itself helps to understand how patients recover their brain functions
(Hammond, 2010).



Bibliography
Aguilar Rebolledo, F. (2012, June 13). Grupos para crecer. Retrieved from
http://www.gruposparacrecer.com.ar/pdf/INV6c.pdf
Cherry, K. (n.d.). About psychology. Retrieved from
http://psychology.about.com/od/biopsychology/f/brain-plasticity.htm
Chudler, E. H. (n.d.). Faculty of Washington. Retrieved from
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/plast.html
Frosting, R. (n.d.). Brain facts. Retrieved from http://www.brainfacts.org/about-
neuroscience/ask-an-expert/articles/2012/what-is-brain-plasticity/
Hammond, K. (2010, June 26). Hopes at Stanford. Retrieved from
https://www.stanford.edu/group/hopes/cgi-
bin/wordpress/2010/06/neuroplasticity/
HQ, B. (n.d.). Brain HQ. Retrieved from http://www.positscience.com/brain-
resources/brain-plasticity/what-is-brain-plasticity
Medicinenet. (2012, June 6). Medicinenet. Retrieved from
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=40362
Michelon, P. (2008, february 26). Sharp Brains. Retrieved from
http://sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/26/brain-plasticity-how-learning-changes-
your-brain/
Torres, M. (27 de May de 2009). Refocuser. Obtenido de
http://www.refocuser.com/2009/05/neuroplasticity-your-brains-amazing-ability-
to-form-new-habits/
Youtube. (2011, Novemeber 3). Youtube. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGzxT5SisaQ