# RKS: BRAIN WIRING - Dictating Career & Health-Caring

 

# RKS: BRAIN WIRING 

DICTATING CAREER & HEALTH-CARING

1st July 2023

NEUROPLASTICITY

DEFINES BRAIN'S ABILITIES

Dear Reader,

In 1902, Adolf Meyer, a Swiss-born psychiatrist (September 13, 1866 – March 17, 1950), called the nervous system the “apparatus of biological plasticity” and placed the concept of neuroplasticity at the centre of his novel theory of psychobiology. However, the term “neuronal plasticity” was already used by the “father of neuroscience” Santiago Ramón y Cajal (1852-1934), Spanish neuroscientist, pathologist and histologist specializing in neuroanatomy, who first described changes in the structure of adult brains that happened irrespective of disease (nonpathological).

It was only in the late 1960s, that the term “neuroplasticity” was introduced for changes in the structure of brain cells (neurons) in adult brains – ‘neuro’  but the terminology “plasticity” implies the ability to make changes in brain tissue based on functioning of the nervous system.

Learning ability and forming memories when continuous, adequacy of brain’s neuroplasticity is implied. Structurally, simply put, neuroplasticity means brain is consistently rewiring itself. It is an interesting to have an insight into this known but yet not commonly discussed feature of brain which drives the life and dictates the health of an individual.

HUMANS ARE NOT ANIMALS

There are differences galore in-between the homo sapiens (human beings) and the species of animal kingdom. 

• Humans are bipedal whilst animals are quadrupedal.
• Humans are omnivorous whilst animals are either herbivores or carnivores.
• Humans as well as ‘evolved’ animals can feel and communicate but the intensity and degree differ.
• Humans only can think – this is the main pivotal difference dictating the species’ progress and well-being.

Since humans can think about certain things they are motivated by their instincts, intellect and logic. Also, the main differences between humans other animal species is the ability of homo sapiens for complex reasoning, use of complex language, ability to solve difficult problems and introspection.

HUMANS vs HUMANS

GENES

Geneticist Kenneth Kidd: “Race is not biologically definable, we are far too similar.” Based on an examination of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), any two human beings are 99.9% identical; surprisingly so, even animals roughly share 90% of homo sapiens’ genes!  

In spite of so close genetic similarities, humans have vast individual differences in sizes, shapes and facial features. How individuals behave and progress in life differently is dependent on certain baseline parameters.

NATURE vs ATTITUDE

Human nature lays the foundation and attitude seals life one’s in terms of health and achievements.

Nature depends on 5 factors:

1. Being playful

2. Being scientific

3. Being legislative – following rules strictly

4. Being epicurean – deriving pleasure from food and drink

5. Being clandestine (or secretive) about sex

6. Being gossipy

Nature and attitude are intertwined. Attitude is everything when it comes to achieving a goal or tackling a setback or problem.  

There are umpteen examples of how positive thinking has increased life span in many terminal illnesses such as cancer. Gratitude shapes a positive attitude.

Besides health, attitude also sets the tone for every action and behavior that accompanies one’s life. Management gurus have for ever being lecturing how a positive attitude will determine ability to break free from one’s any challenging circumstances – be it career-related, financial or social. 

YOUR ATTITUDE DETERMINES YOU!

ATTITUDE & BRAIN

The frontal lobes, which occupy the front portion of the brain, control attitude since they are a home to one’s personality. The nerve cells communicate with each other with the help of communicating arms called axon and dendrites. The axon of one neuron gives messages to the receiving arms (dendrites) of a reciprocal nerve cell via bridges known as synapses.

There are about 20 billion nerve cells and 300 trillion synaptic connections in the human brain. Every experience alters the organization of brain cells and synapses.

 

Positive attitude leads to developing new paths for messaging akin to rewiring of our electrical supply. Ultimately, messaging inside the brain is in the form of electrical impulses. THIS IS NEUROPLASTICITY. Ensuring neuroplasticity counteracts the brain’s natural negativity bias. 

 

NEUROPLASTICITY

BRAIN SIZE IS INCONSEQUETIONAL ...

The elephant’s brain is one thousandth of its weight, but the whale’s brain is only one ten-thousandth of its body weight. On the other hand, although the human brain is one 60th of its body weight and the mouse’s brain represents one fortieth of its body weight. Despite these comparisons, elephants do not seem 10 times smarter than whales, and humans definitely seem smarter than mice. 

The key to the advanced intelligence of humans is not found in the size of brains. What sets humans apart from other animals is the larger cerebral cortex - the outer bark-like layer of brain that facilitates successfully to use language, acquire complex skills, create tools, and live in social groups.

BRAIN CELLS MATTER

Neurons cannot repair or regenerate themselves as skin or blood vessels can but, in brain damage, forming of new neurons is now a demonstrated reality  neurogenesis. These new neurons originate deep in the brain and may then migrate to other brain areas where they form new connections with other neurons.

The brain’s ability to constantly creates new neural communication routes and rewire existing ones is neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity enables us to learn and remember new things and adjust to new experiences. For example, if a person loses a finger, the area of the brain that previously received information from the missing finger will begin to receive input from adjacent fingers, causing the remaining digits to become more sensitive to touch because of neuroplasticity. 

Blind people can still carry out the cognitive functions of creating representations of the physical world but base these representations on input from another sense - namely, touch. This is not, however, simply an instance of one area of the brain compensating for a lack of vision. It is actually neuroplasticity that elicits changes in a localised brain region to enable overcome vision impediment as a compensatory mechanism.

WHY NEUROPLASTICITY NEEDED?

In the late 1990s, there were reports that even the stress that an individual experiences can kill neurons in the brain. Repeated and chronic stress cause a retraction of dendrites and upset the synaptic flow of messaging. 

Neuroplasticity is: 

1. STRUCTURAL NEUROPLASTICTY: Brain’s ability to create new neurons.
2. FUNCTIONAL NEUROPLASTICITY: Establishing new synaptic connections by rewiring within brain. 

Cytokines, proteins such as Bcl-2 proteins and neutrophorins and energy production by mitochondria play a role in facilitating neuroplasticity.

HOW IS NEUROPLASTICITY FOSTERED?

There are 3 ways in which neuroplasticity is encouraged:

1. Experience-independent plasticity: This refers to inherent neuroplasticity that is present at birth. Initially neuroplasticity was once thought by neuroscientists to manifest only during childhood, but research in the latter half of the 20th century showed that many aspects of the brain can be altered even through adulthood.
2. Experience-expectant plasticity: In many diseases of brain such as stroke (causing paralysis), accidental brain damage, vision loss and the like, neuroplasticity is expected to help brain repair the damaged areas by means of neurogenesis and rewiring of synaptic connections. Studies in people recovering from stroke provide support for neuroplasticity, as regions of the brain that remained healthy could take over, at least in part, functions that had been destroyed in a paralytic.
3. Experience-dependent plasticity: This type is the inculcated variety and there are efforts taken by an individual to seek gains in life by facilitating neuroplasticity.

Genes that play central roles in synaptic plasticity are the most significantly affected by age, generally showing reduced expression over time. Hence, as one ages, neuroplasticity declines but does not come to a halt. However, there are always possibilities that could be explored in increasing the brain’s neuroplasticity.

TIPS FOR NEUROPLASTICITY

• Teach brain new skills. Play video games.

   3-D adventure games contribute to improvements in memory, problem-solving and scene       recognition whilst puzzle games help boost problem-solving skills, brain connectivity and           spatial prediction. These benefits kick in after overall devoting minimum of 16 hours of play.

• Learn a new language.

    After 5 months of intensive language study, neuroplasticity is enhanced. 

• Make some music or art. 

    Musicians have greater focus, attention, memory and better coordination of muscles; art also     fosters creativity.

• Travel frequently.

    Travel enhances cognitive (learning, memory) flexibility and enhances creativity.

• Exercise regularly.

    Aerobic exercise encourages muscle coordination and protects against aging-related cognitive     decline on account of increase in grey matter.

BENEFITS OF NEUROPLASTICITY

• The ability to learn new things.
• The ability to enhance existing cognitive capabilities.
• Hastening recovery from strokes and traumatic brain injuries.
• Strengthening areas where function is lost or has declined.
• Improvements that can boost brain fitness.

CONCLUSION

God has given humans very much matching DNA with animals. But the differential capabilities of both are dictated by the brain structure – human brain is wrinkled and folded in appearance whilst that of animals is smooth. The folding of the cerebral cortex is referred to as corticalization. This creates a much greater surface area and size, and allows increased capacities for learning, remembering and thinking. 

In contrast to most cells of the body such as those in the intestines, the skin, or the blood which are constantly renewed, the brain - and in particular the mammalian brain - was always regarded as a non-renewable organ. This was challenged five decades ago and today it is certain that the same is untrue.

The significance of neuronal plasticity is illustrated well by studies that took place with Buddhist monks. A little over ten years ago, scientists worked with the Dalai Lama, who helped them to recruit Tibetan Buddhist monks for numerous studies into how meditation impacts the physical brain. For centuries this practice has been well known for its ability to impact the mind and the same is attributable to propagating neuroplasticity.

The more you engage neuroplasticity is facilitated. As one practices and repeats each movement over and over, the new neural connections in brain also get stronger and stronger. Overall, neuroplasticity benefits both:

1. Grey matter of brain – comprised of nerve cells: Increased grey matter results in greater attention and memory skills.
2. White matter of brain – occupied by the synapses and nerve cell endings: Neuroplasticity also aids the wiring mechanism and thereby resulting in stronger problem-solving and creative thinking skills as well as increased ability to multitask.

The science of neuroplasticity is here to stay. It cannot be ignored or overlooked. The career path and health passage of life could be closely dictated by the attitude of an individual, and the same is interrelated, and dependent on neuroplasticity of one’s brain. 

DR R K SANGHAVI

Prophesied Enabler

Experience & Expertise: Clinician & Healthcare Industry Adviser

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