By Gregory Kellett, a cognitive neuroscience researcher at SFSU and UCSF, and science writer for Lumos Labs.
The field of neuroscience is just beginning to understand some of the physiological foundations of how we learn. The following is a basic breakdown of what we think we might know.
Learning is the process by which new knowledge or skills sticks to our brains. Its functional “sticky” unit is the neuron. Neurons are cells specially adapted to communicate with each other. Everything we experience is reflected in the brain by neurons which communicate to form what are called neural networks. These networks can be pictured as 
overlapping 3-D road maps which span brain regions responsible for processing everything from the bitter-sweet taste of dark chocolate to why your neighbor is such a grump. As we learn, these neural “road maps” interact and shift while also fading or strengthening in relation to our experiences.
Whether it be recognizing a co-worker or changing a flat tire, learning entails the formation and strengthening of connections or synapses between neurons. Brief experiences typically leave connections tracing an ephemeral neural network. This might be envisioned as crisscrossing deer paths. Which, if left unused, fade quickly.
After repeated exposure to a learning experience, like the second time we change that flat tire, the associated neuronal connections 
are reinforced, resembling more a network of single lane country roads than deer paths. And when it comes to daily 
practice and expertise in a skill, one can imagine that the guy at the local tire shop would have the neuronal equivalent of intersecting super-highways.
This strengthening of neural network connections is thought to be the physiological basis of learning.
Changing, strengthening and creating new neural networks tends to get more difficult with age. There is some research, however, indicating that it is possible to maintain our ability to learn, and possibly even ward off or lessen the impact of certain types of dementia. It appears that a significant amount of age related cognitive decline can be attributed to a tendency to stay within pre-established comfort zones; shying away from new and challenging experiences, which typically push the brain to grow (or at least not shrink as fast).
Here are some simple tips that could help maintain our brain’s ability to adapt.
- Stay Social- Reaching out and staying connected with friends and family engages the mind.
- Break a Sweat- It’s not only good for your body but your head as well. Regular aerobic exercise is even capable of stimulating the formation of new neurons.
- Relax- Certain stress hormones are damaging to the brain in excess.
- Seek Challenges- Take that swing dance class, it’ll keep you on your toes in more ways than one. Do a variety of the Lumosity brain games - don’t just focus on your favorites.
- Eat Fruits and Veggies- You’ve heard it a million times before; this time it’s because they contain anti-oxidants and other substances protective of your head’s contents.
- Review Your Day- Take some evening time to review what you did, who you met, and what you read about. Start with the present and work your way back to breakfast or vice a versa.
10 Comments
What an awesome website. I tried the 7 day trial and couldn’t believe the difference these exercises made in all my daily activities. I can’t wait to do them everyday
Thank you
This is my first experience with Lumosity.
Brain Health was great…..must admit my 12 year old grandson was lite years ahead of me.
I WILL come here everyday! I will walk at least 30 minutes, working up to an hour…
EVERYDAY!!
Thank you so very much.
Fran
new computer and it has the window vista program on it. could this be the reason I cannot pull up the regular games? I did everything you told me to but I have to go to google in order to even bring you site up. Jerri
So it is true that children can learn faster than adults!
Deepak,
Yes, kids can learn a lot of things faster than adults,..although some skills require building off of prior knowledge and learning.
As a nurse with considerable experience working with patients with dementia, I find this information very useful.
The families of these patients usually have a dread of ending up with dementia. They’ll love to know there is something positive they can do.
Thanks,
Rod
I’m currently on an aquired Brain Injury program and receiving funds and resource assistance. I have mental difficulties short term memory, working memory and multitasking problems)as the result of a stroke and (unknown to me) had ADD all my life.
Would it be possible to receive an info/price sheet of a program or software series, in a format I could submit to my primary neurophychologist.
Should you have information and/or software pertaining more specifically to neuro plasticity, I would very interested.
I am definiteley making progress and have become faster in my responses. I will continue with the program because i need to keep my mind working even if I am becoming pretty old.
Thank uou indeed for your programme . I do like to work with it.
Morris
So the forest path/spaghetti junction theory of brain development tends to suggest that the simplifications in male brains responses often widely aired in the media for example the much simpler humour response could be a super highway response but that makes them less able to respond or adapt to new situations. Or they dont eat their vegetables enough. It seems some clarification on how a spaghetti junction and forest path respond when they meet an invading alien army or neighbouring force could be useful as that would determine whether the popular “forget it” or “lets get drunk” technique is really useful as part of brain development and health.
It’s nice to have discover a website like this today…I’m really grateful for all the stuff to start with.
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[...] interested in the science of learning may be interested in The Biology of Learning (including tips) from Luminosity’s Brain Health [...]
[...] Kellet, The Biology of Learning Neurons as the sticky units of learning—and a great metaphor of going from deer paths to [...]
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