Ben Dorfman

February 11th, 2019

Reading Response 2: Chapter 4 Neuroplasticity.

Psychotherapy triggers a shift in thinking that leads to reorganization of certain brain areas consistent with neuroplasticity.

Review Questions:

What is the difference between a critical period versus a sensitive period? Critical periods are abrupt/narrow periods during which a particular stimulus is expected for normal development to occur. Sensitive periods are more gradual periods that are associated with opportunities for certain types of learning to occur. Sensitive periods are wide periods that occur throughout the lifespan and during these periods it is easier to learn certain things.

Define neurogenesis and synaptogenesis? Neurogenesis is the process by which new neurons form. Synaptogenesis is the formation of new synapses between neurons.

Definitions:

Allostasis: The process by which the body undergoes in order to maintain homeostasis. A number of systems (endocrine, sympathetic, parasympathetic, hpa axis) may be involved in this process.

Glucocorticoids: glucocorticoids are a class of steroids that bind to the glucocorticoid receptor. Glucocorticoid receptors are found in almost every vertebrate animal cell. Glucocorticoids (esp. cortisol) plays an important role in the immune system as it is released in response to stress.

Long-Term depression: LTD is the decrease of strength of a synapse. Reduced use of synapse leads it to become weaker and weaker.  This may be important for removing superfluous information. This process ensures that energy expenditure continues to be allocated properly.

Reflection: The correlation between socioeconomic (SES) status and neurological well-being deeply surprised me. Language processing centers and executive function were the most impaired in people of lower socioeconomic status. Children in higher SES had much larger vocabularies by the age of three than kids in lower SES. The gaps in language may be due to lack of exposure to educators. How can we change the societal structure so that education can be more widespread so that neuro-development can be enhanced for everybody not only the rich? Hopefully in the future programs will be set up so that everybody can have equal access to these essential things that help us develop normally.

It seems that the hierarchical structure is intentionally decreasing access to education so that those with wealth and power can maintain their positions of power. If one were to give life to a program that gave access to quality education to the lower class than the lower class would be at odds and threaten to overtake the upper class.

In addition to the power of socioeconomic status and brain development, I found the power of psychotherapy to be quite mind boggling. It is incredible to me that one’s brain chemistry can alter so much just by talking about what the neural activity is creating(about one’s thoughts)! Tools like psychotherapy need to implemented and encouraged more in schools. I feel that psychotherapy is often stigmatized and that its therapeutic potential is often overshadowed by other forms of treatments mostly pharmacological treatments.

Discussion Question: Does Long Term Depression lead to pruning? Can learning be agonized even more if one were to add the amount of NMDA receptors in somebody’s brain?