This PowerPoint presentation will help review what we have learned during the semester.

1. Brain Plasticity
A look at what we have learned this semester

2. Definition of Brain Plasticity
 Brain plasticity is the capacity of the brain to
change with learning.
 To change, there needs to be stimulating activity in
the neurons
 Activities must be rigorous and engaging
 Types of activities include music, taking challenging
classes and learning a new skill

3. Why is it important to us?
 Brain plasticity tells us that we do have control over
how we age, and that we can build new neurons at
any age!

4. Real life examples of brain plasticity
(as shown in our readings)
 London Cab drivers have a larger hippocampus (site
of memory storage) from having to negotiate
constantly changing routes
 Learning a musical instrument demonstrated
increased brain size
 Bilingual speakers have a larger parietal cortex
 Learning a musical instrument before age 7 had
lasting benefits on brain plasticity

5. What is negative brain plasticity?
 Negative brain plasticity occurs when you practice
behaviors which are not healthy for your brain
 Examples include:
 Disuse (relying on subtitles instead of trying to focus on
the words)
 Sedentary lifestyle (less connections because of less
stimulation)
 Negative learning (looking for easy solutions instead of
striving to learn more)

6. To improve brain plasticity
 Activities that will improve your brain plasticity are:



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Novel
Engaging
Rewarding
Meaningful
 These activities will increase neuronal connections,
increase neuromodulator release and thereby
improve brain plasticity!

7. Cognitive Reserve and brain plasticity
 Cognitive reserve is a theory that suggests the more
learning will result in brain growth.
 It is a positive theory that suggests that you have
control over your brain plasticity
 It is contrasted with another theory (brain reserve)
which suggests that you have a maximum capacity
over which there can be no improvement
 RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT COGNITIVE RESERVE IS A
VERY REAL POSSIBILITY!

8. Physical activity and brain plasticity
 Research is pretty much agreed that physical activity
can increase plasticity in the brain
 Area which is directly influenced by exercise is
hippocampus (memory center)
 Dancing is especially beneficial because it requires
both body and brain!
 Even modest exercise (walking at an easy pace) has
been shown to improve cognition

9. Music and brain plasticity
 Listening to music creates pleasure, often because of
the anticipation of what notes will follow, and then a
surprise when the notes vary from what is expected
 Each of these behaviors release neuromodulators,
which positively affect brain plasticity

10. Brain HQ and brain plasticity
 Brain HQ activities release neurotransmitters which will affect
plasticity
 Memory activities release dopamine
 Attention activities release acetycholine
 Activities improve processing speed by improving neuronal
network, increasing brain plasticity
 Activities also improve efficiency, which also increases brain
plasticity
 People skills activities require paying attention (releasing
acetycholine)
 Intelligence activities encourage building memory skills to
develop mental control skills, increasing neuronal network

11. Improving brain
plasticity is up to you!
Choose activities that are rewarding,
novel, engaging and meaningful.
Avoid disuse, negative learning and
the sedentary lifestyle. Participate in
brain fitness activities to further
enhance your brain plasticity.