If you really want to understand how the processes of neuroplasticity occur you need to start your learning process by looking at the structure of a basic neuron and how they connect to each other. To understand basic principles of neuroplasticity you need to know that neuron has:- A body which contain a nucleus
-Many endings – dendrites
- One bigger endings – axon

 

neuron1

Axon is a very important structure for a signal transmission. It has a myelin sheath to make the transmission of a signal easier. The end of axon (axon terminals) connects to the dendrites of other neurons and through this connection signals go from one neuron to another.

When we think, feel, imagine or dream, all these processes happen because our neurons connect to other neurons in a certain way forming neuronal pathways.  Connection between neurons occur in synapses (see picture below) where the axon of one neuron connects to the endings (dendrites) of the other neuron. And the process goes on forming pathways.

So, a neuronal pathway is basically a chain of neurons connected in a certain way. For every behavior, habit, or action we have a certain neuronal pathway.  Regular thoughts and feelings also have special neuronal pathways in the brain.

neuron
When neurons connect in synapses, the production and release of special chemicals occur.  These chemical are called neurotransmitters. That’s why a signal transmission in the brain is called an electro-chemical transmission.  These chemicals (neurotransmitters) play a huge role in our emotions, feelings and mental states.
Faults in these chemical transmissions can result in different mental-emotional problems including anorexia and bulimia in susceptible individuals.

Dr Ian Frampton one of the authors, who is an honorary consultant in pediatric psychology at London’s Great Ormond Street hospital conducted in-depth neuropsychological testing on more than 200 people in the UK, USA and Norway who suffered from anorexia.  Dr Frampton and his team found that at least 70% of anorexic patients had suffered damage to their neurotransmitters, which help brain cells communicate with each other.

Luckily, with the help of neuroplasticity we can now influence even produce new neurotransmitters in our brains around the old defective ones.

Dr Irina Webster MD.