description The Brain That Changes Itself Overview
"The Brain That Changes Itself" is a 2007 book by psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Norman Doidge that examines the concept of neuroplasticity. The book presents a series of biographical case studies detailing how the human brain can physically alter its structure and function in response to experience, injury, or mental exercise. Doidge profiles scientists such as Michael Merzenich and Paul Bach-y-Rita, alongside patients recovering from conditions like stroke and learning disorders. It makes specialized neurological research accessible to a general audience interested in brain science.
help The Brain That Changes Itself FAQ
Who is the woman described as having only half a brain in The Brain That Changes Itself?
Doidge discusses Michelle Mack, who was born missing most of her left cerebral hemisphere. Her case illustrates how the remaining hemisphere can reorganize to perform functions normally divided across both sides.
What treatment did Paul Bach-y-Rita develop for balance loss?
Bach-y-Rita and collaborators developed sensory-substitution systems that conveyed balance information through stimulation on the tongue. Doidge presents this work as evidence that the brain can learn to interpret information arriving through an unusual pathway.
Does the book claim the adult brain can change after a stroke?
Yes, several cases involve rehabilitation methods intended to make surviving brain regions assume functions damaged by stroke. Doidge discusses researchers such as Edward Taub, whose constraint-induced movement therapy encourages use of an affected limb.
Is The Brain That Changes Itself a medical textbook?
No, it is a popular-science book built around patients, clinicians and researchers rather than a clinical manual. Published in 2007, it introduces neuroplasticity through narrative case studies while leaving treatment decisions to qualified professionals.
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