Enhancement of Cognition

By: Scott Lynch, MPT, PT and Sherri Collins

Abstract

            Just about every human being would like to acquire quick recall and store vast amounts of knowledge in their long-term memory. How can we tap into our inner abilities and accomplish great things? Being able to store endless amounts information and sift through it within seconds would be a dream come true of any person. With every new piece of information readily available for quick recall it would be the ideal optimized brain. Are we set with the cognitive abilities we already have? Can we strengthen connections? There are many neuroscientists and others alike that have explored the ways in which an average person can increase their cognition. New science is saying that we aren’t fixed in our cognitive abilities. If you really want to get better at something, perhaps an area of math or even science, you can. If you aren’t particularly strong in an area, you can enhance those regions of your brain sometimes drastically with a little effort! Before diving into the complexities of this phenomenon, we will discuss the processes that allow us to think and be who we are first. If we understand what’s going on at the cellular level than we will be able to fully appreciate the process of building on these connections.  

Introduction

            To begin our quest in neural enhancement, let’s explore just what it is and what we are looking at.  In our brain we have a vast network of neurons that connect and send messages when appropriately stimulated. These neurons are responsible and are some of the keys to conducting our brain networking. This networking allows us to send messages throughout our body and lets us be able to interact with the world. To explain this further let’s look at how neurons fire and send messages. it starts with a tiny vesicle. It is precisely these “tiny vesicles in the nerve endings that contain chemicals called neurotransmitters; in response to an electrical impulse, some of the vesicles release their contents, which cross the synapse and transmit the impulse to the adjourning neuron.” (Schwartz and Begley, 2014)This is the process in which we carry out messages throughout the brain. Now, let’s narrow down and examine the individual unit, the neuron. These neurons provide us with the ability to complete complex tasks like talking, typing and speaking. This neuron consists of a cell body and as discussed in class is called the “soma”.  Here is where all the management takes place for the neuron. Branching out from the soma is the dendrite. The dendrite is a very important piece to the neuron and can be thought to be the messaging center (Schwartz and Begley, 2014). This region of the neuron receives messages from other neurons. At the opposing end of the neuron is the axon. The axon is where messages deport from the neuron. It is these complex features of chemicals and synapses that allows us to think and process information. So, now how can we increase our efficiency in these complex processes? Can we build upon this vast network? 

Methods

Building on these neural networks would seem to be a good start. Perhaps even the idea of neurogenesis seems intriguing. So just what do we do? Regarding brain changes, scientific journals suggest that “plasticity, and adaptability could be accomplished by strengthening synapses without requiring structural reorganization.”(Hebb (1949)). Basically, with time and energy we can mold our brain into whatever we want it to become. Plasticity of the brain is saying that with time we can actually change and shape our brain through frequent practice of a particular skill. Think about building muscles. In order to bulk up constant exercise is required. This is true of the brain. Frequent stimulation is needed to strengthen those neural connections. The more diverse experiences one can acquire the better. A study was conducted involving rats in a controlled environment that was highly stimulated. After letting the rats explore, scientists analyzed their brain matter and, after a short period of time they found that the brains of these rats had already changed. Further investigation noted “the largest changes in synaptic organization can be seen in response to placing lab animals in complex (so-called “enriched”) environments.” (Comeau et al., 2010).In these environments the article states there were “no obvious changes in sensory cortex after four days but clear, and seemingly permanent, changes after 14 days.” (Comeau et al., 2010) Through this study it seems evident that the brain does in fact change and adapt. It comes down to the constant feedback of the environment to supply such changes to the brain. To further prove the point another article also reported, “Animal and human research have shown that environmental stimulation is critical for enhancing and maintaining cognitive function. Novelty, focused attention and challenge are essential components of enhancing cognitive function.” (Mahncke et al., 2006a,b; Houillon et al., 2013) We can see that the common theme to building stronger networks boils down to the environment you surround yourself with. Aside from rats, stimulating a human in a particular task works the same way. 

            A study was conducted to analyze the brains of taxi drivers in London before and after their complex trainings. These taxi drivers are required to remember routes and learn the quickest ways to be able to navigate around town. This is a particular skill set that specifically works on spatial tasks and reasoning. The study found changes in the brains after these drivers completed training. After examining the MRI there was a noticeable increase in grey matter in the hippocampus region which encompasses memory. (Lee, 1998) The table provided shows a bar graph of the pre and post MRI’s of these taxi drivers. The journal article provided on the subject states, “If neurogenesis is what underpins the hippocampal volume change in qualified taxi drivers, it may be related to recruitment of new neurons following neurogenesis.” (Doetsch,Shors2008) To greater detail they also extend to say, “The development of greater communication between neurons in the form of increased synaptogenesis (Kolb B,Toni N, 2003,2007)might also be involved, and proliferation in dendritic arborization, augmenting connectivity between neurons, could in turn increase memory capacity and also lead to volumetric changes.” (McEwen, 1999)This is yet another classification of brain plasticity in the workings. To summarize this more simply, the birth of new neurons and perhaps the increased branching of dendritic extensions from these new neurons can play a role in this grey matter development. The receiving of messages from a neuron goes through the dendritic portion of the cell. And if the branching is increased in this area receiving and sending signals through the brain becomes much more enhanced. This ultimately leads to the person being able to adapt and successfully execute their jobs where they previously had no knowledge! It is intriguing how malleable the brain really is.

Discussion

            After having a minimal understanding of the topic beforehand, and in addition to reading new material, it is easy to see what the common solution is regarding brain enhancement. If we are wanting to enhance our brain power in a particular way, we must immerse it in a nourishing environment. This means supplying the brain with diverse activities that stimulate various areas of the brain. The rat study was an excellent example of this. When the rats were placed in a particularly enriched environment their brain matter in fact changed. This is an example of what we call brain plasticity. The ability to adapt and mold our brains is a key factor in allowing us to accomplish great feats. Plasticity gives us a second chance in resiliency in otherwise defeating odds.  This is particularly so with the London taxi cab drivers, who previously had no knowledge of the job beforehand. Through frequent studying and application growth was evident. The challenges of learning new material gave rise to increased matter in the brain. So, again the brain is never fixed. It is always changing and adapting based on outside stimulus. 

References

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Table 1. Increase in gray matter of qualified trainees as compared to other groups: Copyright of: Curr Biol. 2011 Dec 20; 21(24-2): 2109–2114.  doi:  10.1016/j.cub.2011.11.018Copyright© 2011 ELL & Excerpta Medica