Plastic Brains: More than Forever

/’plastik/, noun, a synthetic material made from a wide range of organic polymers such as polyethylene, PVC, nylon, etc., that can be molded into shape while soft and then set into a rigid or slightly elastic form.

When most people hear the word “plastic” they think about the ziploc containers in their kitchens and the litter in our oceans. What if I told you that a plastic brain meant something much different? Plasticity of the brain is less about the synthetic material and more about the idea of being “molded into shape while soft.”

In neuroscience, a plastic brain is not only a good thing but it is what the entirety of our development relies on. If you have ever heard someone suggest that “you better learn a second language when you’re young,” then you have even already been introduced to the concept. Our brain is composed of trillions of connections; however, by the time we reach adulthood there is no chance that we could uphold every neural connection we once entertained. Luckily, our brain has the capacity to constantly change and adapt to the experiences we have. This ability is the very definition of “plasticity” (Carey & SfN, 2012). In reality, connections formed by brain cells called neurons are formed with every thought, action, and experience. These cells are most ready to change when we are young, and they are looking to become more efficient by pruning unused and strengthening frequently used connections.

So our brains change and change. The most used pathways get strengthened while the less used pathways get cut away. Receptors of messengers called neurotransmitters either multiply or the parts of the neuron they are embedded in are cut away like dead leaves on a houseplant. This happens again and again through development until we become the human beings that can type on a keyboard and read a computer screen. Although the brain is not trained to recognize faces, shapes, or words when we are born, for a period of time in postnatal development our brains can adapt and learn to match visual input to bits of larger information. This is the beauty of a plastic brain: we can truly become what we were meant to be.

Although plastic material takes an eternity to decompose, a plastic brain is worth more than forever. There may not be any evolutionary feature more responsible for intelligence, self-awareness, and life as we know it.

In a season 1 episode breaking down neural plasticity, Brains et al. explores how the ability to constantly change our brains affected our lives today and humanity as we know it. Make sure to subscribe, follow, and stay in touch; it helps new everyday scientists find us and makes sure that we answer the questions that matter most to you!

Citation:

Carey, J., & Society for Neuroscience. (2012). Brain facts: A primer on the brain and nervous system. Washington, D.C: Society for Neuroscience.