Fundamentals of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience

This chapter offers a thorough examination of the processes and outcomes of brain plasticity. We begin by unraveling the historical milestones and breakthroughs that initiated the study of brain plasticity. Exploring the intricate world of cellular mechanisms, we outline the core processes underpinning brain plasticity, making this complex topic accessible. We then delve into the three primary types of brain plasticity: experience-independent, experience-expectant, and experience-dependent, showcasing how they depend on environmental inputs to varying degrees. The concept of critical periods emerges as a central theme. We explore the regulatory mechanisms governing the opening and closing of critical periods and why this adaptive feature is essential for brain development. Further, we outline the expansion-normalization hypothesis, providing evidence that sheds light on how brain plasticity evolves over the course of development. Finally, we explore the profound impact of early life adversity on shaping the developing brain, offering insights into the lifelong consequences of such experiences