What Is A Mechanism Of Neuroplasticity?

What Is A Mechanism Of Neuroplasticity?

The mechanisms of neuroplasticity are the changes in neural pathways and synapses which result from alteration in behavior, environment and neural processes. These changes represent the underlying mechanism for the brain’s ability to adapt to new situations, learn new skills and respond to injury.

The term “neuroplasticity” was first coined in the early 1900s by a chemist named William James, and it wasn’t until the late 1970s that scientists began to really understand how the brain changes in response to experience.

There are three main mechanisms of neuroplasticity: synaptic plasticity, event-related potentials (ERPs), and long-term potentiation (LTP).

Synaptic Plasticity

Synaptic plasticity is the ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time in response to increases or decreases in their activity. This type of neuroplasticity underlies our ability to learn and remember new information.

Event-Related Potential (ERP)

An ERP is a brief change in the electrical activity of the brain in response to a specific event, such as seeing or hearing a particular stimulus. ERPs can be both positive (reflecting increased activity) or negative (reflecting decreased activity).

Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)

LTP is a long-lasting increase in synaptic strength that occurs as a result of repeated activation of a particular synapse. LTP is thought to be one of the cellular mechanisms underlying learning and memory.