{"id":2210,"date":"2023-03-09T11:37:34","date_gmt":"2023-03-09T10:37:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.architecturemaker.com\/?p=2210"},"modified":"2023-03-09T11:37:34","modified_gmt":"2023-03-09T10:37:34","slug":"how-do-experiences-shape-the-architecture-of-the-developing-brain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.architecturemaker.com\/how-do-experiences-shape-the-architecture-of-the-developing-brain\/","title":{"rendered":"How do experiences shape the architecture of the developing brain?"},"content":{"rendered":"

When children are born, their brains are a clean slate. Over the course of their lifetimes, experiences will shape and mold the architecture of their brains. Everything a child sees, hears, tastes, smells, and touches helps to build their brain and establishes neural connections. A baby’s brain is like a sponge, absorbing all of the information around them.<\/p>\n

As children grow older, they will continue to learn and form new neural connections. But it is not just experiences that shape the brain – biology plays a role as well. A child’s genes will affect the overall structure and function of their brain. So, while experiences play a big role in brain development, it is not the only factor.<\/p>\n

Experiences shape the architecture of the developing brain by organizing and strengthening neural connections. This process is known as synaptic plasticity, and it underlies learning and memory. Synaptic plasticity is thought to be mediated by changes in the strength of “excitatory” and “inhibitory” synaptic inputs. Excitatory inputs come from neurons that stimulate the target neuron, while inhibitory inputs come from neurons that prevent the target neuron from firing. When an excitatory input is stronger than the inhibitory input, the target neuron is more likely to fire.<\/p>\n

How do our experiences build brain architecture? <\/h2>\n

The brain is a complex organ that is constantly growing and changing. The basic architecture of the brain is constructed through a process that begins early in life and continues into adulthood. Simpler circuits come first and more complex brain circuits build on them later. Genes provide the basic blueprint, but experiences influence how or whether genes are expressed.<\/p>\n