What Is Neuroplasticity? With Dr Michael Merzenich
The most complicated instrument on planet earth resides inside of your skull – your brain.
Throughout your lifetime, your brain continuously revises its own wiring. This ability of the brain to change and adapt is referred to as neuroplasticity (neuro = neuron, plasticity = the malleability of the brain). Here to explain precisely what neuroplasticity is, how it happens and how we can harness it, is one of the world's leading minds in this area – Dr Michael Merzenich.
For nearly five decades, Merzenich has been a leading pioneer in brain plasticity research. A professor emeritus neuroscientist at the University of California San Francisco, he is a recipient of one the world's top neuroscience prizes – the Kavli Prize – for his achievements in the field.
In addition to contributing to over 232 scientific publications, Merzenich also writes books to communicate neuroscience research to lay audiences. His first book, Soft-Wired, offers advice on how to rejuvenate, remodel and reshape your brain. Merzenich is also the CSO and on the board of directors at Posit Science.
For more Teach Me in 10 videos, check out our hub page.