Neuroplasticity refers to the ability of the nervous system to change throughout life. The brain remains plastic and can change even later in life. Examples of neuroplasticity include phantom limb studies which show the brain reorganizing after limb loss. Stem cell research is relevant to neuroplasticity as stem cells can differentiate into neurons and learn new tasks to replace damaged neurons, such as using stem cells to produce dopamine in Parkinson's patients. Sensory areas of the brain can take over functions of other areas if deprived due to critical periods of development and structural and functional plasticity.

1. Neuroplasticity

2. Neuroplasticity:
• “the ability of the nervous
system to change in
subtle, and sometimes not
so subtle ways”
(Gazzinaga, Ivry &
Manguin, 2002, p.611)
The brain is plastic throughout
life. Your brain is never too old
to change.

3. Ex. Of neuroplasticity: phantom limb
studies.
.

4. BOLD: Blue: Phantom on Red:Phantom Off

5. • Neuroplasticity is the reason for stem cell research and
stem cell transplants.
• This is a controversial topic.
• Why is it controversial?
• What makes stem cells so important that some
doctors and scientists are willing to engage in this
controversial work?
Remember: There is no clear right or wrong in
controversial topics. Since they are important issues on
which you will vote, it is important to discuss all sides.

7. Stem Cells
• Are neurons that are yet to differentiate to specific, task-
oriented behaviors.
• Stem cells exist in adults, teens and children.
• The largest number of stem cells however, are found in
infants because the brain is at an early stage of
development.

9. • If you transplant a stem cell it
can learn the task that was
previously performed by a
damaged/destroyed neuron.
• Ex. Of Use: Parkinson’s
patients’ brain differentiate
stem cells to make dopamine.
The inability to make
dopamine is the cause of this
terminal illness.

10. Ex. Neuroplasticity & Perception
• Have you ever heard that blind people hear better than
sighted people?
• Or that hearing impaired persons see better than those
with average hearing?
• Are these common beliefs fact or fiction?

11. Fact!
• When a differentiated
neural population is not
used for its specific
task, it learns new
tasks.
• The somatotopic maps
in the brain are altered.

13. “Rules” of Neuroplasticity
• 1. Highest rates of plasticity are during sensitive periods.
Most of these are during childhood.
• 2. Sensory neurons learn new tasks based on their
somatotopic maps. Neurons are likely to learn the skills
of neighboring neuron populations and not to learn skills
from distant brain regions.
3. Structural plasticity is when neurons create new
connections/pathways.
4. Functional plasticity is when neurons do NOT
change their physical connections/presentation but activate
for different reasons.

14. References
• Gazzaniga, M., Richard, I., & Mangun, G. (2002).
Cognitive neuroscience: The biology of the mind. (2
ed.). New York, NY: W.W.Norton & Company.