#brain #neuroscience Created at 241123 # [Anonymous feedback](https://www.admonymous.co/louis030195) # [[Epistemic status]] #shower-thought Last modified date: 241123 Commit: 0 # Related # brain plasticity # Brain Plasticity and Adaptation The brain's ability to adapt and change, known as neuroplasticity or brain plasticity, is a fundamental property of nervous systems across species[7]. This malleability allows the brain to continually adapt to changes in the environment[1]. ## Mechanisms of Brain Plasticity Neuroplasticity involves adaptive structural and functional changes to the brain. It is defined as the ability of the nervous system to change its activity in response to intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli by reorganizing its structure, functions, or connections[5]. Specific neuronal activity patterns drive long-lasting increases or decreases in the strength of synaptic connections, referred to as long-term potentiation and long-term depression, respectively[1]. ## Brain Plasticity and Sensory Inputs Research has shown that degraded sensory inputs can trigger plasticity within the primary sensory cortex, possibly as an adaptive mechanism to facilitate cortical rewiring in cases of neurological injury or trauma to peripheral sensory systems[2]. ## Brain Plasticity and Prosthetics The brain's plasticity also extends to the recognition and control of prosthetic limbs. Studies have shown that the brain can reprogram itself to control prosthetic substitutes as it does one's own body parts[3]. For instance, in lower-limb amputees, functional reorganization in the primary somatosensory and motor cortices has been observed. This plasticity is hypothesized to reflect a brain adaptation process to new movement and coordination patterns in operating prostheses[6]. ## Brain Plasticity and Rehabilitation Brain plasticity plays a crucial role in rehabilitation after brain injuries. Therapies like deep brain stimulation, non-invasive brain stimulation, neuropharmacology, exercise, cognitive training, or feedback using real-time functional magnetic resonance are all based on our current understanding of brain plasticity[7]. However, it's important to note that the brain's adaptive abilities have limitations. Successful rehabilitation cases often utilize latent capacities that have been present since birth, rather than the brain creating new functions in previously unrelated areas[8]. In conclusion, the brain's malleability allows it to adapt to changes in the environment, sensory inputs, and even the use of prosthetic limbs. This plasticity plays a crucial role in rehabilitation after brain injuries, although its adaptive abilities have limitations. Citations: [1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28632905/ [2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5649212/ [3] https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/123566-can-the-brain-recognise-artificial-limbs-as-real-ones-new-study-reveals-it-can [4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3222570/ [5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557811/ [6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6189475/ [7] https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2019.00066 [8] https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-brain-isnt-as-adaptable-as-some-neuroscientists-claim/ [9] https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/776122 [10] https://accelerate.uofuhealth.utah.edu/resilience/neuroplasticity-how-to-use-your-brain-s-malleability-to-improve-your-well-being [11] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-63755-5 [12] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201222132054.htm [13] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10888691.2017.1398649 [14] https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/our-brains-are-not-able-to-rewire-themselves-despite-what-most-scientists-believe-new-study-argues [15] https://oxfordre.com/neuroscience/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190264086.001.0001/acrefore-9780190264086-e-50 [16] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jnc.14107 [17] https://www.quantamagazine.org/to-be-energy-efficient-brains-predict-their-perceptions-20211115/ [18] https://www.ox.ac.uk/research/study-reveals-why-brain-can%E2%80%99t-forget-amputated-limbs-even-decades-later [19] https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/news-releases/2023/april/penn-medicine-study-reveals-new-insights-on-brain-development [20] https://www.apa.org/education-career/k12/brain-function [21] https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1047&context=honors_et [22] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-022-01931-x