Experience-Dependent Plasticity

Experience-Dependent Plasticity is the continuing process of the creation and organization of neuron connections that occurs as a result of a person's life experiences. Differing life situations and circumstance influence how certain areas of the brain develop and continue to grow. Research has shown that animals raised in a complex and engaging environment have more dendrite development and more overall synapses than do animals who are raised in an environment with no stimulating or engaging features. This has been shown in human brains as well with violinists and Braille readers having an increased cortical development in the section of the brain that corresponded to the fingers of the left hand (which is used predominantly when playing the violin or reading Braille).