Anorexia visible with brain scans

[persianmedic]

I think the brain pattern is the way the neurons are hard wired in the brain. It's slightly different from person to person but in neurological disorders the difference is more vivid. in certain disorders there are alternative pathways in which the brain processes information and some blockages in other places. e.g. a psychopath shows no activity in the 'empathy' section of the brain.

[Dr Noodle]

Can that change over time ie neurons changing paths or breaking down?

[persianmedic]

yes! it's been discovered quite recently. scientists believed that adults brains remained the same until old age but now we know that neurogenesis is happening throughout life.
I was watching a programme about a chess grandmaster (unexpectedly a woman) when they scanned her brain with the new fMRI devices they realised that she has developed a totally new way of processing informatio while playing chess. instead of using the slower common pathway of analyzing and deciding the moves she was using the 'face recognition' of her brain when looking at chess boards. interesting stuff

Medi

[Dr Noodle]

Wow that is interesting! I wonder why she was using the face recognition part. Another question...can new neurons be formed later in life like say when you're thirty or are they not and that's why it's easier to learn languages and that when you're a child?

[persianmedic]

good question. I don't know!
I know that the brain can generate neurons throughout life. but maybe the rate becomes slower overtime. Or that gradually the formation ceases in different areas and remains active in others.
I just got the book "A Very Short Introduction to THE BRAIN" but haven't read it yet lol looks interesting though

[persianmedic]

when think about it, the same principle applies to other organs as well. like ostification of bones which reduces in rate or even skin regeneration after injury, that slows down when we get older too.

[Dr Noodle]

Ye I see what you're saying. Damnit you're very smart Medi I don't understand why you have to go through this whole reapplying shennagains it's not fair.