I watched an interesting PBS program titled Brain Fitness Program (Improving brain function is explored by neuroscientist Michael Merzenich. Narrated by Peter Coyote.) last night on the subject of brain plasticity, which means our brains can adapt to changing situations and re-wire themselves beneficially or detrimentally even as we age. Contrary to previous thinking, neuroplasticity can deposit new neurons and wire new circuits if we stimulate the right kind of new, challenging thought patterns and activities
This program is scheduled to be repeated throughout March 2008 on PBS.
The implications that were discussed included extending our brain-span to match our lifespan, and even to overcome disorders such as OCD and some pain disorders.
An example of such re-programming includes people who lose their sight, and whose visual cortex eventually changes vocation to expand the person's hearing acuity or sense of touch (for reading Braille).
The authors explained how the proof of this re-programming can be seen in brain MRI's of test subjects, as well as other experiments.
Have you had any experience with this concept, either in the scientific literature or by experiencing this kind of re-wiring?
This program is scheduled to be repeated throughout March 2008 on PBS.
The implications that were discussed included extending our brain-span to match our lifespan, and even to overcome disorders such as OCD and some pain disorders.
An example of such re-programming includes people who lose their sight, and whose visual cortex eventually changes vocation to expand the person's hearing acuity or sense of touch (for reading Braille).
The authors explained how the proof of this re-programming can be seen in brain MRI's of test subjects, as well as other experiments.
Have you had any experience with this concept, either in the scientific literature or by experiencing this kind of re-wiring?
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