- Neural Plasticity: Internal or external stimuli influence the activity of the nervous system through reorganization of structure, function, or connections
- Synaptic Plasticity: Changes in synaptic transmission through activity-dependent mechanisms
- Neural Plasticity occurs in more than just humans- also seen in insects

Neural Plasticity vs. Synaptic Plasticity 

- Cajal- cerebral gymnastics hypothesis: The brain's capacity increases as the number of connections between its cells increases
- Tanzio - The more one engages in specific learning or practice, the more already existing connections (synapses) between neurons are strengthened. 
- Tanzio's therory ties into hypertrophy, the reinforcement of preexisting connections/synapses 

Background on Synaptic Plasticity 

Mateos-Aparicio, P., & Rodriguez-Moreno, A. (2019, February 27). The Impact of Studying Brain Plasticity. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 13, 1-5. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2019.00066


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- May be either presynaptic, postsynaptic, or both kinds of changes in the brain
- More neurotransmitters are released 
- Number of receptors increases
- Inputs from other neurons---> increased depolarization or hyperpolarization

Synaptic Plasticity- Changes in the Brain 

Mateos-Aparicio & Rodriguez-Moreno, 2019

Markram, H., Lubke, J., Frotscher, M., and Sakmann, B. (1997). Regulation of
synaptic efficacy by coincidence of postsynaptic APs and EPSPs. Science 275,
213–215. doi: 10.1126/science.275.5297.213

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