Neuroplasticity and the Brain

Neuroplasticity, however, is the main cause for the existence of the nervous system. While the earlier discussed nervous system still serves a crucial role in the body, helping the brain take in information through the senses, processes information and triggering of a reaction; neuroplasticity, on the other hand, differs from the less-reflexive information processing method.

The concept of neuroplasticity discusses the reaction of neuron and neural pathways in response to new information, sensory stimulation, development, and dysfunction. Although some functions appear to be hard-wired into a localized area of the brain, other neural pathways exhibit the ability to deviate from their set functions, in addition to re-organising themselves.

There are at least four main types of functional neuroplasticity, which include homologous area adaptation, cross-modal reassignment, map expansion, and compensatory masquerade.

The possibility of rapid, distinct change in the neural pathways can be proposed due to a variety of circumstances, both internal and external. Developmental plasticity rapidly occurs during the childhood years, and develops an interconnection of synapses, or the site of transmission between two electrical nerve impulses.

As the child develops, certain synapses dwindle away, while others grow more apparent. The weaker transmissions eventually are eliminated from the brain completely, in a process named synaptic pruning, thus allowing space for more efficient networks of the neural connections.

Other types of neuroplasticity mechanisms operate on the same basis, although under different consequences and sometimes to a limited extent. Such alterations can be induced by the loss of a limb or a sense, therefore severely altering the balance of the sensory activity received by the brain.

Furthermore, similar neuroplasticity occurs during a repetitive reinforcement of new information, through a set of experiences such as learning and memory.

Dopamine is produced in the hypothalamus region of the brain, and is most commonly known as the reward centre. The mesolimbic system is the reward system of the brain, and is responsible for transporting dopamine during psychological and cognitive processing of reward .

Reward is a process in which the brain creates associations between stimuli and a desirable outcome. Such processes can alter an individuals behaviour, making them more likely to actively be in pursuit for the dopamine rush. All the axons, also known as nerve fibers, in the mesolimbic pathway contact using dopamine. The frequency of monoamine neurotransmitter increase as a response to a reward, and is present in many bodily functions involving memory, movement, mood, attention, and motivation.

From an evolutionary viewpoint, the dopamine system was designed to rewards actions completed for survival, encasing reproducing and competing to survive.  The brain has evolved to prioritize and seek behaviours that release pleasure chemicals into the system.

The neurotransmitter is increased with repetitiveness, thus enforcing reinforcement of the action. Consequently, through creating associations between the rewarding dopamine rush and the action done beforehand, the brain is able to pinpoint the specific steps that led to the reward. Due to the repetitive nature of dopamine, the chemical therefore can aid in stimulating and creating habit.

The Different Regions of the Brain and Their Simplified Purpose