Week 30

Questions and Observations:

Patterns Patterns Patterns

  Connections Connections Connections

 

 The following are a number of paraphrased points from an the writings of  H. Goldberg, N Doidge and M Merzenick who are all respected neuroresearchers:

- there are several neurological processes that lead to strong pattern development and pattern recognition. One of these involves generic memory. Generic memory is pattern implanting and strengthening and is developed in three ways; neural network building to facilitate neurons firing in unison; neural network strengthening through repetition and neural plasticity and neural efficiency so that less energy is required to maintain the neural network. These functions are primarily neo cortical and are less prone to both age related dementia and brain disease so as the brain ages one can maintain strong mind function in spite of sub-cortical distress. The sub-cortex is the area where dementia and brain disease initially happens. Thus the stronger the pattern development the less likely is the early onset of dementia and some brain disease. The more generic the patterns are the more redundant are their neural representations and the more resistant they are to the effects of brain deterioration and dementia The more frequent the patterns are activated in the course of mental [intellectual] activity the more invulnerable they are to the effects of cognitive degeneration and the stronger the patterns grow with age. In many respects ageing is the price we pay for the strengthening of patterns and the following wisdom.

- it is now known that the brain is a bodily organ that needs exercise to remain healthy and capable of efficient pattern development. There are strong indications that the best mind/brain exercises to maintain health lie in the arts. There is also a realization that a healthy mind / brain is capable of LLL until “ end of life.” 

Best Bets: [for reading]

Damassio, A, Numerous books, articles and papers

Doidge, N, [2008], The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science, Scribe Publications

Eagleman, D, [2010], Incognito: The Hidden Life of the Brain, Pantheon

Goldberg, E [2007], The Wisdom Paradox: How Your Mind Grows Stronger as Your Brain Grows Older, Free press, Simon and Shuster

Goldberg, E [2001], The Executive Brain: Front Lobes and the Civilized Mind, New York, Oxford University Press

Goldberg, E [1998] Neural Networks and Neural Intelligence, Cambridge, MIT Press

Lawrence T E  [1991] Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph, New York, Anchor Books

Merzenick, M, Numerous books, articles, papers and blog