Psychology

Neural plasticity, also referred to as brain plasticity, is the phenomenon where neurons in the brain change their structure, functionality and organization as a response to new experiences (Huttenlocher, 2002). When the brain undergoes new experiences as triggered by external factors, nerve connections can either strengthen or weaken. Additionally, the external experience may trigger the generation of new neurons in the brain. Neural plasticity has become one of the most vital areas of neuroscience since the strengthening, weakening or addition of neurons and neural connections could be the key to the treatment of brain damage caused by accidents, poisoning or substance abuse (Huttenlocher, 2002).

Neural plasticity is what makes it sometimes possible for persons who have suffered brain damage to heal naturally healthy neurons and nerve connections take over the roles played by the damaged ones thus permitting the brain to have some level of cognitive functionality while engaging on the healing process (Liden, 2010). A variety of mechanisms exists through which neural plasticity can take place. The most common mechanism is axonal sprouting. The axon is a fibrous component of a neuron that serves to conduct sensory impulses throughout the body. When some neural connections have been severed, healthy axons develop new endings that serve to connect the pathways that have been incapacitated within the entire nervous system (Liden, 2010). Such an adaptive strategy enables the nervous system to improve its functionality in adverse conditions and systematically repair itself, gradually returning to full capacity. Neural plasticity is what makes brain damage particularly in young people reversible. Plasticity-based simulated exercises have in fact been demonstrated as capable of assisting increase cognitive spontaneity in people, particularly children, with learning difficulties (Huttenlocher, 2002). Learning difficulties of dyslexia can be alleviated through such exercises and so can cognitive decline of psychomotor functionality arising from old age when specific therapeutic procedures are developed to utilize brain plasticity to improve cognition, memory spontaneity, physiological motor control and other faculties of the human body (Huttenlocher, 2002).

When I came into contact with the concept of brain plasticity, I was reading journal material on the possible ways of curing various brain ailments like Alzheimers disease and Cerebral palsy. As said earlier, medical research is focusing on the viability of induced neural plasticity for application in medical purposes. In some cases of severe brain damage and illnesses, different sections of the brain have exhibited their ability to take over all the functional duties of the damaged sections. If such natural processes can be replicated through guided intervention, total functionality of the brain and nervous system can be restored in cases of serious brain disorders that are incurable through the application of current neurological technology and treatment (Huttenlocher, 2002).

Neural plasticity has demonstrated the brain and nervous systems unique and natural ability to reprogram itself when the need arises. It thus presents a viable and effective method of treating many psychological and mental disorders affecting society today. Besides natural ailments and brain damage resulting from accidents, guided neural plasticity can be used to reverse acquired substance dependence and addictions (Huttenlocher, 2002). Millions of people are directly affected by disorders similar to addictions and many more are indirect victims. The current solutions to such disorders lack efficacy, a fact proved by high rates of relapse even in cases under treatment. Guided neural plasticity can be used as a more efficient solution instead of the application of medical interventions centered on drug therapy which in itself becomes an addiction of sorts. Resources should therefore be allocated to extensive research on neural plasticity.