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Related Concept Videos

Neuroplasticity01:01

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.
Plasticity00:58

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...
Ecological Disturbance02:26

Ecological Disturbance

An ecological disturbance is a temporary disruption in the environment resulting from abiotic, biotic, or anthropogenic factors, causing a pronounced change in an ecosystem. The impact of an ecological disturbance, which can depend on its intensity, frequency, and spatial distribution, plays a significant role in shaping the species diversity within the ecosystem.Ecological disturbances can be caused by an event as small as the trampling of underbrush to an incident as wide-ranging as a forest...
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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...
Evolution of New Traits in Microbes01:24

Evolution of New Traits in Microbes

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All organisms have a position within an ecosystem. The complete set of living and nonliving factors—including food resources, climate, and terrain—that define the position of a given organism are collectively referred to as the organism’s ecological niche.Multiple species cannot occupy the exact same niche within their habitat. If the niches of two or more species overlap to a large extent, the competitive exclusion principle dictates that one species will outcompete the other, forcing it to...

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Whole-cell Patch-clamp Recordings in Brain Slices
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Whole-cell Patch-clamp Recordings in Brain Slices

Published on: June 15, 2016

Neuroplasticity in changing ecologies.

Daniele Ortu1

  • 1University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA daniele.ortu@unt.edu.

The Behavioral and Brain Sciences
|June 2, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Brain plasticity, the brain's ability to change, decreases with age due to fewer learning opportunities and more rigid behaviors. Social environments significantly influence this lifelong developmental process.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental neuroscience
  • Neuroplasticity
  • Behavioral science

Background:

  • Throughout life, social environments shape brain development and plasticity.
  • Post-adolescence, societal norms often discourage play and behavioral variability.
  • Aging is associated with increasingly rigid behavioral patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the influence of social environments on brain plasticity across the lifespan.
  • To provide a developmental neuroscience perspective on aging and neuroplasticity.

Main Methods:

  • This is a commentary, not an empirical study.
  • It synthesizes existing knowledge on developmental neuroscience and social influences.

Main Results:

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Last Updated: Jun 3, 2026

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  • Environment-driven brain plasticity diminishes with age.
  • Reduced opportunities for learning and exploration contribute to decreased neuroplasticity.
  • Behavioral rigidity increases with age, further limiting plasticity.

Conclusions:

  • Lifelong social experiences critically impact brain plasticity.
  • Interventions promoting learning and behavioral flexibility in older adults may support cognitive health.
  • Understanding these developmental trajectories is key to supporting healthy aging.