Neural network
There are 13 trillion connections between neurons in our brain which
are responsible for transferring messages from one neuron to another
using electrical impluses. These impulses are transmitted through
neurotransmitters, natural chemical messengers. The messages travel
through the axon terminal to the terminal buttons where the
neurotransmitters are released. These then travel through the synapse,
the gap between neurons, to the synaptic membrane where the message
is then passed on. The brain’s potential to rearrange these neural
connections when presented with high levels of stimulation or a new
learning outcome is referred to as neuroplasticity. As a result of learning a
new experience, our brain is physically sculpted by each experience; thus
our brain is constantly changing due to the different experiences within a
lifespan. Neuroplasticity includes the formation of dendric branching long
term potentiation and synaptic pruning.
Maguire conducted an experiment to see whether the brains of London
taxi drivers would have different neural connection because of the
exceptional training that must be done to be qualified. This study was
conducted with a sample of 16 right-handed male London taxi drivers, of a
variety of ages, who had completed the "Knowledge Test” which included
creating mental map of London, and had their license for at least 1.5
years. As a control group, 50 right-handed males who did not drive taxis
were included in the sample. The study consisted of MRI scanning of each
participant from the sample group which was later compared with scans
from the control group. The results showed that the
posterior hippocampi of taxi drivers were significantly larger compared to
those of control group, the anterior hippocampi were significantly smaller,
and the volume of the right posterior hippocampi correlated with the
amount of time spent as a taxi driver.
To conclude, Maguire demonstrated the occurrence of neural network
because the repeated firing of neurons caused an increase in synaptic
neural networks because of the recurrent environmental stimulation of
driving taxis.
There are 13 trillion connections between neurons in our brain which
are responsible for transferring messages from one neuron to another
using electrical impluses. These impulses are transmitted through
neurotransmitters, natural chemical messengers. The messages travel
through the axon terminal to the terminal buttons where the
neurotransmitters are released. These then travel through the synapse,
the gap between neurons, to the synaptic membrane where the message
is then passed on. The brain’s potential to rearrange these neural
connections when presented with high levels of stimulation or a new
learning outcome is referred to as neuroplasticity. As a result of learning a
new experience, our brain is physically sculpted by each experience; thus
our brain is constantly changing due to the different experiences within a
lifespan. Neuroplasticity includes the formation of dendric branching long
term potentiation and synaptic pruning.
Maguire conducted an experiment to see whether the brains of London
taxi drivers would have different neural connection because of the
exceptional training that must be done to be qualified. This study was
conducted with a sample of 16 right-handed male London taxi drivers, of a
variety of ages, who had completed the "Knowledge Test” which included
creating mental map of London, and had their license for at least 1.5
years. As a control group, 50 right-handed males who did not drive taxis
were included in the sample. The study consisted of MRI scanning of each
participant from the sample group which was later compared with scans
from the control group. The results showed that the
posterior hippocampi of taxi drivers were significantly larger compared to
those of control group, the anterior hippocampi were significantly smaller,
and the volume of the right posterior hippocampi correlated with the
amount of time spent as a taxi driver.
To conclude, Maguire demonstrated the occurrence of neural network
because the repeated firing of neurons caused an increase in synaptic
neural networks because of the recurrent environmental stimulation of
driving taxis.
