<p>Neuroplasticity?</p>
<p>Your thoughts on this intriguing topic.</p>
<p>If you haven't heard about it, google it. read up on it. and come back and post your tangible ideas about this topic and some things ud like to comment.</p>
<p>Even if you arent entering neurosci, neuropsych, or cog sci. opinions from different majors matter on trying to figure out such a complex idea.</p>
<p>Lets start this opinion thread.</p>
<p>bump bump ubmp</p>
<p>Are we talking about synaptic plasticity, or are we talking about nervous system regeneration and repair using existing cells within the brain?</p>
<p>Well, I've read up more on the latter of what you've stated... nervous system re-mapping via neuroplasticity (phantom limb rehabilitation, stroke rehabilitation, balance disorder condition etc.) and synaptic plasticity strengthening the synapse between neurons i.e. in using the tongue vibration to aid a blind person in walking and to practically be able to "visualize" via vibrations.. so its a combination of the 2.. anybody can voice their idea behind it... mollie has just slightly narrowed it down two 2 categories..</p>
<p>This is partly what my lab works on -- we're trying to map out how certain subtypes of neurons develop so that one day we can reprogram existing stem cells in the brain to become those subtypes and repair spinal cord injury or Lou Gehrig's disease.</p>
<p>Hey, sorry to hijack the thread, but I also thought we could combine our talk with mirror neurons (I got hooked after reading an article in Natural history).</p>
<p>And Mollie (OK, I know you're busy), but what do you mean by "reprogram existing stem cell." ? My question means that are you insert genes that will create new characteristics (gene theraphy maybe)?</p>
<p>faraday read neuroplasticity and ull understand what she means... doesnt mean inserting genes buddy... its using ur own brain to reprogram ur genes... kinda like a mental restart button</p>
<p>mollie im sure u've read up or talked to dr.eric kandel... the man is a genius on neuroplasticity</p>
<p>I haven't ever talked with him, but I sat near him at a seminar once. He is such a cute old man -- he wears the most adorable bow tie.</p>
<p>Faraday, we're hoping that we can make the brain produce neurons (corticospinal motor neurons, specifically) on its own, but to be honest, the general consensus in the field right now is that we'll do whatever it takes to repair spinal cord injuries or fix Lou Gehrig's disease. Some labs are taking the gene therapy route and trying to produce these neurons from embryonic stem cells in culture, while others are hoping to use the adult stem cells that live in the brain normally. We may not be able to be picky.</p>
<p>^^haha that is so cool... talk about startin ur own trend again with the bow-tie</p>