Neuroplasticity

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Biological Sciences
Cover of the book Neuroplasticity by Moheb Costandi, The MIT Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Moheb Costandi ISBN: 9780262337076
Publisher: The MIT Press Publication: August 16, 2016
Imprint: The MIT Press Language: English
Author: Moheb Costandi
ISBN: 9780262337076
Publisher: The MIT Press
Publication: August 16, 2016
Imprint: The MIT Press
Language: English

The real story of how our brains and nervous systems change throughout our lifetimes—with or without “brain training.”

Fifty years ago, neuroscientists thought that a mature brain was fixed like a fly in amber, unable to change. Today, we know that our brains and nervous systems change throughout our lifetimes. This concept of neuroplasticity has captured the imagination of a public eager for self-improvement—and has inspired countless Internet entrepreneurs who peddle dubious “brain training” games and apps. In this book, Moheb Costandi offers a concise and engaging overview of neuroplasticity for the general reader, describing how our brains change continuously in response to our actions and experiences.

Costandi discusses key experimental findings, and describes how our thinking about the brain has evolved over time. He explains how the brain changes during development, and the “synaptic pruning” that takes place before brain maturity. He shows that adult brains can grow new cells (citing, among many other studies, research showing that sexually mature male canaries learn a new song every year). He describes the kind of brain training that can bring about improvement in brain function. It's not gadgets and games that promise to “rewire your brain” but such sustained cognitive tasks as learning a musical instrument or a new language. (Costandi also notes that London cabbies increase their gray matter after rigorous training in their city's complicated streets.) He tells how brains compensate after stroke or injury; describes addiction and pain as maladaptive forms of neuroplasticity; and considers brain changes that accompany childhood, adolescence, parenthood, and aging. Each of our brains is custom-built. Neuroplasticity is at the heart of what makes us human.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The real story of how our brains and nervous systems change throughout our lifetimes—with or without “brain training.”

Fifty years ago, neuroscientists thought that a mature brain was fixed like a fly in amber, unable to change. Today, we know that our brains and nervous systems change throughout our lifetimes. This concept of neuroplasticity has captured the imagination of a public eager for self-improvement—and has inspired countless Internet entrepreneurs who peddle dubious “brain training” games and apps. In this book, Moheb Costandi offers a concise and engaging overview of neuroplasticity for the general reader, describing how our brains change continuously in response to our actions and experiences.

Costandi discusses key experimental findings, and describes how our thinking about the brain has evolved over time. He explains how the brain changes during development, and the “synaptic pruning” that takes place before brain maturity. He shows that adult brains can grow new cells (citing, among many other studies, research showing that sexually mature male canaries learn a new song every year). He describes the kind of brain training that can bring about improvement in brain function. It's not gadgets and games that promise to “rewire your brain” but such sustained cognitive tasks as learning a musical instrument or a new language. (Costandi also notes that London cabbies increase their gray matter after rigorous training in their city's complicated streets.) He tells how brains compensate after stroke or injury; describes addiction and pain as maladaptive forms of neuroplasticity; and considers brain changes that accompany childhood, adolescence, parenthood, and aging. Each of our brains is custom-built. Neuroplasticity is at the heart of what makes us human.

More books from The MIT Press

Cover of the book Transportation in a Climate-Constrained World by Moheb Costandi
Cover of the book Trade Policy Disaster by Moheb Costandi
Cover of the book GMOs Decoded by Moheb Costandi
Cover of the book The Mind–Body Problem by Moheb Costandi
Cover of the book Ambient Commons by Moheb Costandi
Cover of the book Burdens of Proof by Moheb Costandi
Cover of the book Linkography by Moheb Costandi
Cover of the book Truly Human Enhancement by Moheb Costandi
Cover of the book Winning Together by Moheb Costandi
Cover of the book Making in America by Moheb Costandi
Cover of the book Democratic Experiments by Moheb Costandi
Cover of the book Moving without a Body by Moheb Costandi
Cover of the book Choosing Down Syndrome by Moheb Costandi
Cover of the book New Tendencies by Moheb Costandi
Cover of the book The Language of New Media by Moheb Costandi
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy