Neuroplasticity: The Brain's Preeminent Ability to Rewire Itself

By: Siriah Subit

“Because of the power of neuroplasticity, you can, in fact, reframe your world and rewire your brain so  that you are more objective. You have the power to see things as they are so that you can respond  thoughtfully, deliberately, and effectively to everything you experience.” - Elizabeth Thornton, British-Canadian Writer. 

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Isn’t it enthralling that our brains acquire the capacity to undergo perpetual evolution and adaptation,  defying conventional beliefs we once thought were set in stone?

Can Our Brains Be Altered? 

According to the National Library of Medicine, neuroplasticity, also known as brain plasticity, refers to  the process by which the brain experiences chemical, anatomical, and functional modification. More  specifically, it outlines the central nervous system’s capability to redesign its structure, functions, and  neural connections due to intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli. Examples of intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli include sensory stimulation and traumatic brain injury (TBI) respectively. Neuroplasticity can be advantageous,  neutral, or detrimental, influencing the restoration, maintenance, or potential harm to standard brain  function post-stimuli. 

Unraveling the History of Neuroplasticity 

The idea of plasticity in relation to the central nervous system was originally presented by American  philosopher and psychologist William James in his book "Principle of Psychology" (1890), demonstrating  the human brain’s potential to restructure itself. Yet, Polish Neuroscientist, Jerzy Konorski, is attributed  with coining the term "neural plasticity" in 1948, which gained wider attention through Donald Hebb in  1949. Hebb, renowned for his phrase "Neurons that fire together wire together," undoubtedly assisted in popularizing the understanding of neural plasticity, which explains how neuronal circuits in the brain are  formed and reinforced through repeated exposure. The more the brain performs a certain task, the  stronger the neural network becomes, increasing the efficiency each successive time. This idea can be  utilized to pinpoint the effectiveness of practicing consistent gratitude and introspection. Neural  pathways in the brain that assist in recognizing the plethora of things to be grateful for each day are  fostered and reinforced by engaging in these routines. The more often one practices, the more deeply  embedded it becomes, which significantly assists the brain in comprehending gratitude and creates a loop  that reinforces itself.

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From Injury to Innovation 

Neuroplasticity can be broken down into two major mechanisms: Neuronal Regeneration and  Functional Reorganization. Neuronal regeneration involves the production of new neurons and  synapses to assist disfigured neurons due to injury and disease, and eventually promote long term functional recovery. This is a crucial aspect of neuroplasticity, as it contributes to the brain's  ability to adjust to changes, heal from trauma, and even restore lost or impaired functions. Neuronal regeneration plays a major role in stroke rehabilitation, which consists of many  techniques to assist in restoring abilities after a stroke. For instance, patients undergoing treatment may benefit from constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT), whereby the afflicted  limb is involved in repetitive task practice and behavioral molding, while the functioning limb is  restricted. Functional reorganization refers to the brain’s capacity to reallocate or reassign  functions to others in order to adapt and compensate for damage or alterations in neural circuitry.

In the case of brain injury, if a particular area responsible for certain functions, is damaged, the  brain may reorganize and redistribute these functions to other undamaged areas. This involves adjacent brain regions or entirely different parts of the brain, allowing the individual to recover  or adapt to the lost functions. Following a stroke, portions of the brain may become damaged as  a result of a reduction in blood supply. However, the individual can regain certain abilities such  as speech, mobility, and even cognition when other parts of the brain accept the responsibilities  of the injured regions. In retrospect, functional reorganization is an essential process, which aids  the brain in adapting to diverse changes in its neural networks.

“Our minds have the incredible capacity to both alter the strength of connections among  neurons, essentially rewiring them, and create entirely new pathways. (It makes a computer,  which cannot create new hardware when its system crashes, seem fixed and helpless).” - Susannah Cahalan, American Writer and Author.   

Where Neuroplasticity Falls Short 

Modifications of the brain are frequently viewed as enhancements; however, this perspective does not universally hold. Detrimental alterations can occasionally occur to the structure and  function of the brain that may be brought about by illicit substance abuse, illness, or trauma (due to  brain damage or distressing events), where the brain’s capacity to fully recover may have been exceeded. Medical conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, can hinder  neuroplasticity. Another factor that reduces the effectiveness of neuroplasticity is age. The brain’s plasticity declines as humans age, yet it remains adaptable. Acknowledging these constraints can be harnessed to develop improved techniques for rehabilitation and cognitive  enhancement. 

Rewiring Minds for the Future 

In broad terms, neuroplasticity stands as a crucial concept, elucidating the brain's remarkable adaptability  in response to internal and external stimuli. The potential outcomes of neuroplasticity on learning,  recuperation from significant injuries, and the prospects for rehabilitation are boundless. Acknowledging  and utilizing the brain's ability to restructure itself unveils a realm of opportunities for scientific progress  and individual development. Our prior experiences do not confine our cognitive capacities. Attaining peak  levels of brain function is achievable by fully engaging our mental and physical capabilities.