plasticity of the brain

• what is plasticity?

  the brains ability to change and adapt as a result of an experience
• what does recent research suggest about plasticity?

  that it can and does happen at any age
• evidence for plasticity - Kemperman (1998)


  he investigated whether an enriched environment could alter the number of neurons in the brain

  they found that in rats there were more neurons in the rats living in the complex environment, especially in the hippocampus which is to do with making new memories

  however, we have to be careful generalising to humans as it is an animal study
• evidence for plasticity - Maguire et al (2000)

  they studied the brains of London taxi drivers and found significantly more grey matter in the hippocampus than in a matched control group of novice drivers.

  this part of the brain is associated with most of the learning, and in the development of spatial and navigational skills.

  London taxi drivers have to do a very complex test which has seemed to alter their brain structure
• evidence for plasticity - Maguire et al (2000)

  however they may have had an enlarged hippocampus before they acquire the test. longitudinal tests can show direct changes
• evidence for plasticity - Hyde et al (2009)

  they studied the effects of 15 months of instrumental music training in 6 year olds. they found significant increases in brain tissue in the motor and auditory areas. those with the biggest changes showed the greatest improvements.
• evidence for plasticity - Zattore (2013)

  reviewed the research on the effects of musical training on the brain and found they were greater among children and young adults than older adults, suggesting plasticity reduces with age.