Neuroplasticity

The MIT Press Essential Knowledge Series

By: Moheb Costandi

Narrated by: Tim Andres Pabon

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 listener, 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.

©2016 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (P)2016 Gildan Media LLC

straightforward

extensive knowledge elaborate the reason situations with neuroplasticity. a definite recommended read. enjoy your knowledge and feed your brain.

Thank you

This very complex and fast moving area of medical research needs to be presented in a way that it’s significants can be grasped by nature non technically focused in this arena. This presentation does a wonderful job at this highly needed requirement.

Neuroplasticity is an interesting subject

I love listening to and learning about neuroscience, and neuroplasticity is very interesting topic. It was well presented in this audio book, but could have been a little more engaging. Notwithstanding this limitation, it certainly covered the background, research and science of this fascinating area of study.

very helpful

This book is an excellent overview of the history and processes involved with the development and recovery during neuroplasticity.

I highly recommend it, even if you're already familiar with neuroscience

A great introductory read on the brain.

This book does an excellent job of providing a concise overview of neuroplasticity and the Brain.

short yet informative

informational and concise. good tone of voice and pace, but mispronounced terms got to be frustrating