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Life Stages, Hormones, and Brain Remodeling: Adult Reproductive Life

Luis Miguel García-Segura

in Hormones and Brain Plasticity

This chapter considers a few selected examples of interactions of hormonal changes with brain plasticity in adult reproductive life. It briefly examines hormonal and brain plastic modifications ... More

This chapter considers a few selected examples of interactions of hormonal changes with brain plasticity in adult reproductive life. It briefly examines hormonal and brain plastic modifications associated with circadian rhythms, seasonal behaviors, hibernation, reproductive cycles, motherhood, and social interactions. It also analyzes the regulation of brain plasticity by hormones within the context of social interactions.Less

Life Stages, Hormones, and Brain Remodeling: Aging

Luis Miguel García-Segura

in Hormones and Brain Plasticity

This chapter examines the changes in brain plasticity and endocrine function with aging. It discusses whether the decrease in plasma levels of several hormones that occur with aging represents a ... More

This chapter examines the changes in brain plasticity and endocrine function with aging. It discusses whether the decrease in plasma levels of several hormones that occur with aging represents a positive adaptation to the new physiological conditions of the aged individual or, on the contrary, represents a genuine deficit, negatively impacting brain function. The paradox that exists—the signaling of some hormones (growth hormone, IGF-I) is neuroprotective, yet at the same time it reduces longevity—is discussed. How hormonal deprivation with aging affects the brain is considered. Studies dealing with the effects of hormonal therapies (gonadal hormones, DHEA, growth hormone, melatonin, and so forth) on the plasticity and function of the aging brain, including the human brain are reviewed.Less

Life Stages, Hormones, and Brain Remodeling: Disease and Neuroprotection

Luis Miguel García-Segura

in Hormones and Brain Plasticity

This chapter examines, with more detail and in a broader context, the interaction of hormones and brain plasticity under pathological conditions. It begins by reviewing the evidence indicating that ... More

This chapter examines, with more detail and in a broader context, the interaction of hormones and brain plasticity under pathological conditions. It begins by reviewing the evidence indicating that pathological brain remodeling affects hormonal secretions. It then considers how pathological alterations in hormone levels or hormonal signaling, due to endocrine diseases or other causes, affect brain plasticity and function. Finally, the chapter analyzes the influence of specific hormones on the reorganization of nervous tissue after injury or neurodegeneration.Less

Hormones and the Mutable Brain

Luis Miguel García-Segura

in Hormones and Brain Plasticity

This chapter begins with a discussion of the concepts of homeostasis, allostasis, homeodynamics, brain plasticity, and endocrine glands. It then discusses cellular plasticity, cellular replacement, ... More

This chapter begins with a discussion of the concepts of homeostasis, allostasis, homeodynamics, brain plasticity, and endocrine glands. It then discusses cellular plasticity, cellular replacement, brain plasticity, and the role of hormones in brain mutability.Less

Artificial Vision

Dorothe A. Poggel, Lotfi B. Merabet, and Joseph F. Rizzo III

in Neuroergonomics: The brain at work

This chapter presents an overview of research on retinal prostheses and progress in this field, and provides a perspective on artificial vision and the role of modern technologies to support research ... More

This chapter presents an overview of research on retinal prostheses and progress in this field, and provides a perspective on artificial vision and the role of modern technologies to support research in this sector. It also reviews studies on brain plasticity that provide essential information on changes in the brain as a consequence of (partial) blindness, the interaction of visual areas with other sensory modalities, and possible ways of influencing brain plasticity as a basis of visual rehabilitation.Less

Recent Evidence of Memory Processing in Sleep

Constantine Pavlides and Sidarta Ribeiro

in Sleep and Brain Plasticity

It has been hypothesized that sleep, and more specifically rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, plays a role in brain plasticity and memory consolidation. Although the initial evidence in support of this ... More

It has been hypothesized that sleep, and more specifically rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, plays a role in brain plasticity and memory consolidation. Although the initial evidence in support of this hypothesis was indirect or anecdotal, recent experimental evidence showing a direct link between sleep and information processing has been forthcoming. This evidence is derived from a wide variety of sources including behavioral, electrophysiological, and molecular studies. This chapter briefly reviews evidence from the former, then discusses recent molecular studies. It presents a model of how sleep may act to consolidate memories acquired during wakefulness.Less

Life Stages, Hormones, and Brain Remodeling: The Transition from Childhood to Adulthood

Luis Miguel García-Segura

in Hormones and Brain Plasticity

This chapter analyzes the hormonal influences on brain plasticity during the prepubertal period, puberty, and adolescence. It begins by describing some examples of brain plastic changes associated ... More

This chapter analyzes the hormonal influences on brain plasticity during the prepubertal period, puberty, and adolescence. It begins by describing some examples of brain plastic changes associated with this life stage. It then considers how hormones may affect these neuroplastic modifications. Finally, the chapter analyzes the impact of brain remodeling during prepubertal maturation, puberty, and adolescence on the activity of endocrine glands.Less

Role of Rem Sleep in Brain Development and Plasticity

Majid Mirmiran and Ronald L. Ariagno

in Sleep and Brain Plasticity

This chapter discusses the role of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in early brain development. Existing data suggest that REM sleep deprivation (REMD) in infants may retard brain growth and synaptic ... More

This chapter discusses the role of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in early brain development. Existing data suggest that REM sleep deprivation (REMD) in infants may retard brain growth and synaptic plasticity. The chapter also reviews past findings and provides an interesting hypothesis about the possible role of REMD in the development of depression.Less

Making Brain Paths to Agile Thinking, Part 1: Correlational and Longitudinal Evidence

Wilma Koutstaal

in The Agile Mind

Our day-to-day environment is a crucial but not always sufficiently recognized sculptor of our brains and of our ability to use agile thinking. The things we see, hear, imagine, and plan each day, ... More

Our day-to-day environment is a crucial but not always sufficiently recognized sculptor of our brains and of our ability to use agile thinking. The things we see, hear, imagine, and plan each day, the activities we perform, and the “contents” of our leisure and work pursuits simultaneously and reciprocally shape our thinking and our brains. Research findings from a wide range of methodologies and disciplines converge in demonstrating a simple fact: agile thinking thrives in stimulating environments. This chapter considers indirect—correlational and longitudinal—evidence that is broadly consistent with this claim. The consideration of indirect forms of evidence begins by focusing on clear cases of brain plasticity associated with prolonged behavioral alterations in one's experiences, such as the acquisition of complex skills (e.g., learning to play a musical instrument) or adaptations to the loss of a particular sense modality. The chapter then turns to a consideration of the many longitudinal and epidemiologic studies that have sought to identify longer term contributions of our day-to-day cognitive, intellectual, and social-emotional environments to the preservation and optimization of cognitive function, and also to the likelihood and timing of the onset of degenerative brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. A final section considers the outcomes of longitudinal field experiments that aim to determine the effects of a cognitively and socially engaged lifestyle on cognitive vitality.Less

Music, Brain, and Health: Exploring Biological Foundations of Music’s Health Effects

Eckart Altenmüller and Gottfried Schlaug

in Music, Health, and Wellbeing

The brain as a highly dynamically organized structure can change and adapt as a result of activities and demands imposed by the environment. Musical activity has proven to be a powerful stimulus for ... More

The brain as a highly dynamically organized structure can change and adapt as a result of activities and demands imposed by the environment. Musical activity has proven to be a powerful stimulus for this kind of brain adaptation, or brain plasticity. This chapter suggests that music-induced brain plasticity may produce benefits for wellbeing in general and may influence neurohormonal status as well as cognitive and emotional processes in healthy and diseased individuals, helping to improve various sensory, motor, coordinative, or emotional disabilities. It first reviews mechanisms of music-induced brain plasticity. It then clarifies the impact of music on emotion and neurohormones. It demonstrates the transfer effects of music exposure and making music to other cognitive and emotional domains, and shows examples of the potential of music to serve as a supportive and facilitative therapy in rehabilitation from motor impairment and aphasia following brain injury.Less

Making Brain Paths to Agile Thinking, Part 2: Direct Experimental Evidence

Wilma Koutstaal

in The Agile Mind

This chapter first explores extensive experimental work that has been carried out on “environmental enrichment” with nonhuman animals, which has been fundamental in establishing causal connections ... More

This chapter first explores extensive experimental work that has been carried out on “environmental enrichment” with nonhuman animals, which has been fundamental in establishing causal connections between stimulating environments, behavioral flexibility, and corresponding brain changes. It then turns to the multiple, often highly innovative and creative, approaches that have been adopted in the effort to examine plasticity of brain function in humans, in relation to experimentally assigned sensory-motor and cognitive interventions. Included here are physical and cardiovascular fitness interventions, training in deliberate recollection in older individuals and of working memory in younger and older adults, and training of attention in young children. Two additional sections consider the benefits for flexible cognition that may be derived from, on the one hand, playing certain forms of real-time video games and, on the other hand, certain forms of experiences with the natural environment. An experimental intervention with older individuals based on multimodal engagement in novel activities designed to invite playful and imaginative participation points toward further promising approaches. The chapter also considers a recent speculative theoretical proposal regarding the linkages between stimulating physical activity and the generation of new neurons (neurogenesis), particularly in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. It suggests that, broadly speaking, diverse forms of cognitive and other stimulation may be seen as extending our “exemplar space” of objects, events, people, qualities, and so on, thereby increasing the range of instances and sets of instances that we can draw upon in thinking, reasoning, and acting.Less

Introduction

Pierre Maquet, Carlyle Smith, and Robert Stickgold

in Sleep and Brain Plasticity

This introductory chapter begins with a brief discussion of the hypothesis presented in this book: that sleep is favorable for brain plasticity. It then presents a short historical overview of the ... More

This introductory chapter begins with a brief discussion of the hypothesis presented in this book: that sleep is favorable for brain plasticity. It then presents a short historical overview of the idea of the role of sleep in learning and memory. It argues that the role of sleep in memory trace processing remains to be confirmed. The characterization of task-dependent regionally specific brain activities during post-training sleep should be pursued, at different levels of cerebral organization. They should be shown to be related to long-lasting behavioral adaptation.Less

Simple Molecules That Turn You On and Off

Gary L. Wenk

in Your Brain on Food: How Chemicals Control Your Thoughts and Feelings

Glutamate is an amino acid that your brain uses as a neurotransmitter and it is almost always is excitatory. GABA is also an amino acid that your brain uses as a neurotransmitter and it is almost ... More

Glutamate is an amino acid that your brain uses as a neurotransmitter and it is almost always is excitatory. GABA is also an amino acid that your brain uses as a neurotransmitter and it is almost always inhibitory. These two neurotransmitters are widespread in your brain and tend to compete for turning your neurons on or off. Glutamate makes and breaks connections between neurons; this action allows your brain to learn. For example, if you consume a chemical that blocks the actions of glutamate you become amnestic, unable to remember anything new. The street drugs PCP and ketamine block glutamate receptors and depress the activity of your brain. Your brain makes its own PCP-like neurotransmitter called angeldustin. Chemicals that enhance the action of GABA, such as alcohol, barbiturates, or any of the popular drugs related to Valium and Librium, can make us sleepy, send us into a coma, or kill us by turning off too many neurons in the brain.Less

Biocultural Coconstruction of Brain Plasticity across the Life Span: From Cognitive Training to Neurotransmitters

Shu-Chen Li

in Developing Scaffolds in Evolution, Culture, and Cognition

Chapter 15 focuses on the emerging trend of interdisciplinary research that aims at exploring the effects of socio-culturally contextualized experiences and learning on human brain functioning. An ... More

Chapter 15 focuses on the emerging trend of interdisciplinary research that aims at exploring the effects of socio-culturally contextualized experiences and learning on human brain functioning. An integration of multiple levels of empirical evidence indicates that brain processes are dynamic and plastic and could be scaffolded by learning and other socio-culturally contextualized experiences. Two classes of empirical evidence are reviewed to highlight brain plasticity with respect to sensorimotor and memory process. The functions of the brain’s sensory and motor cortices adapt to environmental inputs and professional skill acquisition; so are brain networks implicating memory functions shapeable by mnemonic trainings. Using memory plasticity as an illustration, multiple levels of evidence will be integrated to track the scaffolding effects of culturally derived mnemonic training on (i) memory performance, (ii) brain functional circuitries supporting memory functions, and (iii) the neurotransmitter systems that modulate these brain networks.Less

Neuroscience in education: an (opinionated) introduction

Mike Anderson and Sergio Della Sala

in Neuroscience in Education: The good, the bad, and the ugly

This chapter begins with a brief discussion of the gap between neuroscience and education, suggesting that what will ultimately fill the gap is the development of evidence-based education where that ... More

This chapter begins with a brief discussion of the gap between neuroscience and education, suggesting that what will ultimately fill the gap is the development of evidence-based education where that base is cognitive psychology. The discussion then turns to the use and misuse of neuroscience in education, opinions versus data, the allure of everything ‘neuro’, developmental neuroscience, brain plasticity, and the concept of ‘critical periods’, i.e., particular time windows whereby children could learn a specific skill.Less

Where Culture Meets Neuroimaging: The Intersection of Luria's Method with Modern Neuroimaging and Cognitive Neuroscience Research

Xavier E. Cagigas and Robert M. Bilder

in Luria's Legacy in the 21st Century

This chapter utilizes A.R. Luria’s method of neuropsychological investigation to shed light upon recent advances in neuroimaging and emerging paradigms in the cognitive neurosciences such as ... More

This chapter utilizes A.R. Luria’s method of neuropsychological investigation to shed light upon recent advances in neuroimaging and emerging paradigms in the cognitive neurosciences such as cognitive phenomics. Particular attention is focused on the theoretical power of Luria’s method for understanding the emerging literature in cultural neuropsychology which is challenging the notion of psychic unity and revolutionizing the field’s understanding of cognition. An argument is made for embracing biological and cultural diversity by recasting neurocognition as being completely culturally-constituted. Other themes covered in the chapter include: Goldberg’s gradiental theory, activity theory, the effects of bilingualism and other experience-based influences on brain plasticity, biocultural co-constructivism, and the cultural-historical method for understanding neurocognition.Less

Ameliorating Cognitive Aging: A Neurocognitive Framework

Pamela M. Greenwood and Raja Parasuraman

in Nurturing the Older Brain and Mind

This chapter presents a hypothesis which states that interaction between brain plasticity and cognitive plasticity is the fundamental mechanism for successful cognitive aging. The role of cognitive ... More

This chapter presents a hypothesis which states that interaction between brain plasticity and cognitive plasticity is the fundamental mechanism for successful cognitive aging. The role of cognitive demand and neuronal plasticity in reorganizing the aging brain is explored with a focus on the ability of neuronal plasticity to reorganize cortical circuits. The chapter presents studies which show that neuronal activity can be altered with the help of memory training. Studies suggesting that neurogenesis occurs in older adults and that new neurons have the ability to create functional connections are also presented. The role of environmental enrichment and learning experiences in changing the cortical mass is discussed.Less

How the Brain Works

Arlindo Oliveira

in The Digital Mind: How Science is Redefining Humanity

This chapter provides a brief introduction to the way the brain works. It starts by describing the physical mechanisms used by neurons to send and receive electrical signals, and some of the ... More

This chapter provides a brief introduction to the way the brain works. It starts by describing the physical mechanisms used by neurons to send and receive electrical signals, and some of the experiments that led to the understanding of these mechanisms. It then describes how neurons are organized in networks and uses some particular structures in the brain, namely the brain visual cortex, to illustrate the signal processing that takes place in the brain. The chapter also covers, very briefly, the few known mechanisms that are used by brains to self-organize and create the structures that are present in fully developed brains. Mechanisms that lead to brain plasticity and the creation of memories are also examined, with a special emphasis of the synapse reinforcement process that is known as Hebb’s rule.Less

Sensory Substitution: From Sensations to Phenomenology

Laurent Renier

Fiona Macpherson (ed.)

in Sensory Substitution and Augmentation

Sensory substitution refers to the use of one sensory modality (e.g. hearing) to supply environmental information normally gathered by another sense (e.g. vision) while still preserving some of the ... More

Sensory substitution refers to the use of one sensory modality (e.g. hearing) to supply environmental information normally gathered by another sense (e.g. vision) while still preserving some of the key functions of the original sense. For example, the use of auditory signals might give information about visual scenes. The development of sensory substitution devices has profoundly changed the classical definition of sensory modalities and contributed to the emergence of a new form of perception. In the last decade, our knowledge about cognitive and brain mechanisms involved in sensory substitution has grown considerably, bringing new insights into human perception. The phenomenological experience of perceiving via a sensory substitution device can now be discussed in the light of current scientific knowledge. Thanks to technological advances and scientific achievements, sensory substitution has become a real alternative for restoring some functions of a defective sensory organ (e.g. sight in the case of blindness or hearing in the case of deafness). This essay addresses some of the major questions raised by sensory substitution, including discussions regarding the nature of perception arising from the use of such devices, demonstrates how the study of sensory substitution enhances our understanding of human perception and brain plasticity and provides a short overview of rehabilitation potentialities.Less