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Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity reflects the brain's remarkable capacity to adapt and evolve, responding dynamically to learning, experiences, or injury by reorganizing its neural circuitry. This reorganization involves creating new neural connections and refining old ones through a series of biological processes that contribute to the brain's lifelong development and adaptability.

Long-term Depression

Long-term Depression

Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over time, all...

Long-term Depression

Long-term Depression

Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.

Plasticity

Plasticity

Plasticity is the property where an object loses its elasticity and undergoes irreversible deformation, even after the deformation forces are eliminated. If a material deforms irreversibly without increasing stress or load, then this is called ideal plasticity. For example, when a force is applied to an aluminum rod, it changes its shape, but it does not return to its original shape once the force is removed. Plastic deformation or ductility is thus a permanent deformation or change in the...

Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue

Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue

In the CNS, neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons from stem cells, is limited to the hippocampus in adults. In other regions of the brain and spinal cord, neurogenesis is almost non-existent due to inhibitory influences from neuroglia, especially oligodendrocytes, and the absence of growth-stimulating cues. The myelin produced by oligodendrocytes in the CNS inhibits neuronal regeneration. Furthermore, astrocytes proliferate rapidly after neuronal damage, forming scar tissue that physically...

Long-term Potentiation

Long-term Potentiation

Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre- and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model (CDM)

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model (CDM)

Published on: September 23, 2021

Neuronal network plasticity and recovery from depression.

Eero Castrén¹

¹Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.

JAMA Psychiatry

|July 12, 2013

Summary

Antidepressants can reopen a critical period for brain plasticity in adults. Combining these drugs with psychotherapy aids in reorganizing neuronal networks and recovering function for mood disorders.

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Pharmacology
Psychiatry

Background:

The adult brain's neuronal networks are shaped by experience.
Antidepressant drugs have been found to reopen a period of juvenile-like plasticity in the adult cortex.
This plasticity window offers a potential mechanism for therapeutic interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the neurobiological basis for combining antidepressant treatment with psychotherapy.
To explore how antidepressant-induced plasticity interacts with rehabilitation strategies.
To propose a network hypothesis for antidepressant action in mood disorders.

Main Methods:

Observational study of antidepressant effects on adult cortical plasticity.
Analysis of functional recovery in neuronal networks following combined treatment.

More Related Videos

Inducing Long-Term Plasticity of Intrinsic Neuronal Excitability in Neurons of the Dorsal Lateral Geniculate Nucleus

Inducing Long-Term Plasticity of Intrinsic Neuronal Excitability in Neurons of the Dorsal Lateral Geniculate Nucleus

Published on: September 20, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 9, 2026

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model (CDM)

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model (CDM)

Published on: September 23, 2021

Inducing Long-Term Plasticity of Intrinsic Neuronal Excitability in Neurons of the Dorsal Lateral Geniculate Nucleus

Inducing Long-Term Plasticity of Intrinsic Neuronal Excitability in Neurons of the Dorsal Lateral Geniculate Nucleus

Published on: September 20, 2024

Development of a network hypothesis based on experimental findings.

Main Results:

Antidepressant drugs reactivate juvenile-like plasticity in the adult cortex.
Combining this plasticity with rehabilitation (e.g., psychotherapy) leads to functional recovery of neuronal networks.
Antidepressants facilitate environmental influences on network reorganization.

Conclusions:

Pharmacological and psychological treatments for mood disorders are interconnected.
Psychotherapy guides antidepressant-induced plastic networks, while drugs enhance plasticity for psychotherapy.
Optimized combination treatments may improve outcomes and reduce treatment resistance in mood disorders.