Neurobiology: Recent Exploration of Brain Functioning

Table of Contents

Use It or Lose It Idea
Cognitive Reserve
Practical Implications
References

Research in the field of neurophysiology has led to the conclusion that during learning, plastic changes occur in the neural network of the brain. More precisely, a unique property of the brain is neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to change as a result of experience and to restore lost connections under certain circumstances (Grubin & Restak, 2001). The property is expressed in the fact that the process of learning reorganizes complex brain structures. In other words, when people learn, physiological changes occur in the brain, similar to body changes when training or doing sports.

Moreover, the ability of the brain to change is not limited to age. This property was discovered relatively recently (Grubin & Restak, 2001). Previously, it was believed that the brains structure does not change after it is formed in childhood. During the learning process, the strength of connections between neurons changes and relationships begin to break down and be created (Bennett et al., 2019). In addition, neurogenesis occurs the process of creating new nerve cells in an already mature nervous system.

Use It or Lose It Idea

Despite all these data sets and new facts revealed by neurobiology, the brain is capable of deteriorating through years without appropriate training. Using it or losing it can be applied to brain development because part of the specialized neurons is eliminated to give life to others. The formation of the substitute neurons is based on learning, analytic, or problem-solving activities. In other words, if there is no constant training for brain cells in the process of learning, the new neurons cannot replace eliminated ones. Therefore, the slow degradation of brain functions can occur. Age-related changes in the brain are a gradual decrease in mental performance due to disturbances in the structure of nerve cells, intercellular connections, and a reduction in grey matter volume. Changes occur at all levels, from tissues to molecules, and begin to take shape before the age of 2025 years (Bennett et al., 2019). In youth, this is imperceptible: neurons are compensated by the plasticity of the brain and its high ability to self-heal.

Over time, age-related changes are more noticeable: people remember less amount of information. It becomes more difficult for people to concentrate, learn more slowly, and make more mistakes in everyday activities. However, cognitive functions can still be put an end to. For example, research shows that in adulthood, people perform better on tests of verbal ability and spatial reasoning than younger people (Bennett et al., 2019). Age-related changes, or ageing of the brain, is a normal process. In adulthood, defence mechanisms no longer have time to correct malfunctions in nerve cells.

Cognitive Reserve

The more cognitive reserve a person has, the lower the risk of developing dementia. Under the cognitive reserve, scientists understood the level of education and the level of mental and social activity, both throughout life and several years before the study (Bennett et al., 2019). It turned out that people with a high cognitive reserve endure or compensate for pathological changes in the brain. At the same time, some patients with a high cognitive reserve were diagnosed with Alzheimers disease or vascular pathologies, while their intelligence and social activity did not decrease. Thus, constant mental activity is more critical for maintaining cognitive reserve.

Thus, the brain is able to learn new things throughout its life. However, if the skills learned by the brain are not used, they will be forgotten. If people do not feed their brains with new information and knowledge, they lose interest in life: everything around us becomes routine. Therefore, developing the brain intellectually at any stage of life is essential because this affects mood, health and general quality of life.

Practical Implications

Therefore, it is essential to strive for continuous education, which encourages the brain to create new neurones. Such actions decrease the risk of dementia and premature ageing of the brain. The degradation of the brain sooner or later leads to the loss of everything that has been accumulated. Taking the path of brain development, one must continue educational processes because it can result in losing all the gained knowledge and skills. Moreover, the neurons will be less likely to restore, which progressively will result in the worsening of the cognitive brain functions.

Some practical implications can be utilized to sustain neurone restoration and good quality of brain working. First of all, the daily exercises for the development of cognitive abilities should be mentioned. Constant active mental activity supports the performance of cognitive skills. It is also worth noting the activities that help to normalize the lifestyle and improve the body. For example, regular, moderate-level physical activity can significantly improve blood flow to the brain. In conclusion, it can be stated that the principle uses it or losing it ideally fits the principles of brain development and functioning. In order to preserve the progress and functions of the brain, it is necessary to pursue learning activities throughout all lifespans.