Can’T Teach An Old Dog New Tricks Ncbi Neuroplasticity?
One common belief is that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. But is this really true? As it turns out, it may not be as simple as that. According to a recent study, neuroplasticity the brain’s ability to change and adapt may play a role in how well older dogs are able to learn new tasks.
The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia, looked at a group of 18 older dogs ranging in age from 7 to 15 years old. Half of the dogs were placed in a “training” group, while the other half served as a control group. The dogs in the training group underwent eight weeks of twice-weekly, 30-minute obedience training sessions.
The researchers found that the older dogs in the training group showed significant improvements in their ability to learn new tasks, compared to the control group. In addition, brain scans of the older dogs in the training group showed changes in activity in the hippocampus a region of the brain associated with learning and memory. These changes were not seen in the control group.
So, what does this all mean? It’s possible that the old saying isn’t entirely accurate you may be able to teach an old dog new tricks after all! This study provides evidence that neuroplasticity may play a role in how well older dogs are able to learn new tasks. So, if you have an older dog at home, don’t give up on teaching them something new they just might surprise you!