Brain Plasticity and Behavior (Distinguished Lecture Series)

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There are few books devoted to the topic of brain plasticity and behavior. Most previous works that cover topics related to brain plasticity do not include extensive discussions of behavior. The first to try to address the relationship between recovery from brain damage and changes in the brain that might support the recovery, this volume includes studies of humans as well as laboratory species, particularly rats. The subject matter identifies a consistent correlation between specific changes in the brain and behavioral recovery, as well as various factors such as sex and experience that influence this correlation in consistent ways.

Evolving from a series of lectures given as the McEachran Lectures at the University of Alberta, this volume originally began as a summary of the lectures, but has expanded to include more background literature, allowing the reader to see the author's biases, assumptions, and hunches in a broader perspective. In writing this volume, the author had two goals in mind:

* to initiate senior undergraduates or graduate psychology, biology, neuroscience or other interested students to the issues and questions regarding the nature of brain plasticity, and

* to provide a monograph in the form of an extended summary of the work the author and his colleagues have done on brain plasticity and recovery of function.

Brain Plasticity and Behavior (Distinguished Lecture Series) Review

Dr. Kolb introduces possible clinical implications of the principles of brain plasticity to behavior rehabilitation after injury in molecular level, cellular level, and physiological level based on various research and clinical studies to achieve his listed objectives of the book - "(a) identify the constraints on behavioral change, (b) describe the neuronal correlates of the behavioral changes, and (c) identify those factors that control or influence the brain and behavioral changes" (15). This extensive discussion of behavior recovery shed some lights on one of the most exciting questions in neuroscience regarding alternation of function due to modification of brain structures throughout one's lifespan. This monograph will broaden the comprehension of how brain plasticity can be used in order to recover behavioral malfunction that resulted from neocortical injuries due to lesions and diseases. However, the author expects basic physiology knowledge and understanding of neuroscience from the audience. Thus I recommend this book to people especially undergraduate or graduate students the author's targeted audience who would like to study and learn Dr.Kolb's extensive studies on brain plasticity and behavior in 1995 that is still basis of his current neuroscience studies which focuses on how neurons of neocortex respond to factors such as hormones, neuromodulators, neutrophins, experience and injury and shape behavioral change.

Throughout the book, Dr. Kolb bases his insights based on the assumption that brain plasticity is achieved through synaptic changes which include production of new synapses, the loss of old synapses, or the modification of present synapses. Moreover, synaptic changes that are seen in all possible neuronal parts as form of axon terminal alteration, spine density, dendritic space, or ultrastructure of existing synapses is supported by Dr. Kolb's morphological study and others. It demonstrates that synaptic change and behavioral modification is correlated but it does not yet establish the cause and effect relationship. One of intriguing point is that Dr. Kolb successfully manifests there is a correlation between dendritic change and behavioral outcome but has not proved that the dendritic arborization and remodeling supports the behavioral recovery. Nonetheless, Dr. Kolb constructs that the behavioral recovery due to neuronal change or vice versa as reasonable hypothesis because of correlation between growth with recovery and atrophy with non-recovery.

Dr. Kolb properly reviews the foundation knowledge in the beginning of the each chapter then mention what he would like to discuss. After establishing the topic, there are various studies presented which would aid Dr. Kolb forming his arguments. Then Dr. Kolb clearly states his conclusions that are drawn which strengthen his arguments scientifically.

Dr. Kolb opens the book with the story of a woman named Donna that touches the basic concepts of brain plasticity but as the book goes on, he delves far into the knowledge and studies step by step from plasticity to the behavioral recovery. In the beginning of the book, Dr. Kolb reveals his assumptions and biases and explains the plasticity in a normal brain. Then Dr. Kolb proves the possibility of recovery from brain damage and lead into the recovery of function in relation to brain plasticity. He focuses on cortical injuries in cellular level that can be reflected on behavior. He also mentions the problems that were faced during 1995. For example, he mentions there was a need to be a determination of how behaviors are changed in the course of time from initialization of the injury to the evolution because a lack of determination made the correlation between functional recovery and brain plasticity difficult. Then Dr. Kolb leaves us with thought provoking questions using the case study of Donna in regard of brain consistency even with synaptic changes throughout the life.

The conclusions are most helpful parts of the book because it organizes the book and his arguments for the readers so major principles are elucidated without confusion. Moreover, his arguments are mostly validated through empirical studies which build strong credibility to his arguments. However, there are some studies that are hard to digest because it is very similar to research article so sometimes the explanation alone would not provide sufficient understanding. It is definitely not one of pleasure reading material but rather heavily educational material with didactic style.

In the book, Kolb states that "I have emphasized the ways in which the brain changes over a lifetime, but I would be remiss if I did not finish by noting that in spite of its plasticity, the brain manages to show amazing constancy in its functions" and end his remarks with this question "if we accept the brain hypothesis, then how is it that billions or trillions of synapses can change throughout our lifetime yet we remain essentially the same?". I find this fascinating since people use to say "people never (or hardly) change". What is it in our brain that anchors us to specific behavior or thought process even with neurogenesis? This book will not only give us insights but allows us to form our own opinions on brain plasticity based on information he presented.

All clinical studies that are introduced in the each chapter keep attention from me since it is easy to understand them rather than cellular materials. One that I found most fascinating involved in understanding cortical injury in each developmental phase of the brain. It demonstrates that even though brain plasticity would last for lifetime, the age matters in the functional consequences of the injury vary. Also not only injury but the age is also a factor in recovery of function because recovery follows the injury during prospering of cortical connectivity in brain development.

I highly recommend reading this book keeping in mind that although this book is written in 1995, many of principles are still current "truth" and will help you further understanding of brain plasticity. If you would like, it's also good to know that Dr. Kolb has continued his research on factors that influences brain plasticity and recovery such as hormones. Although it is dry reading, it is outstanding book that leaves the excitement of learning.

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