We used to think that the brain was unable to heal itself or form new connections in later life. Good news--this concept has been debunked! Current research reveals that our brain is capable of forming new connections across the lifespan. This article explains some of the recent research and implications:
"How The Brain Rewires Itself," published in Time
To quote:
"For decades, the prevailing dogma in neuroscience was that the adult human brain is essentially immutable, hardwired, fixed in form and function, so that by the time we reach adulthood we are pretty much stuck with what we have. . .But research in the past few years has overthrown the dogma. In its place has come the realization that the adult brain retains impressive powers of "neuroplasticity"--the ability to change its structure and function in response to experience. These aren't minor tweaks either. Something as basic as the function of the visual or auditory cortex can change as a result of a person's experience of becoming deaf or blind at a young age. Even when the brain suffers a trauma late in life, it can rezone itself like a city in a frenzy of urban renewal. If a stroke knocks out, say, the neighborhood of motor cortex that moves the right arm, a new technique called constraint-induced movement therapy can coax next-door regions to take over the function of the damaged area. The brain can be rewired."
Pay attention to the information on pages 4 & 5 of this article concerning brain plasticity as it relates to depression and OCD. Findings such as these underscore the importance of exposing yourself to new learning situations, challenging your skill sets, and considering alternative perspectives.
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