Recent advances in cognitive neuroscience have revealed that the human brain's capacity for neuroplasticity extends well into adulthood, challenging the long-held assumption that neural development ceases after adolescence. Studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) demonstrate that adults who engage in sustained learning of new skills, such as a second language or a musical instrument, exhibit increased gray matter density in regions associated with memory and executive function. Furthermore, this adaptive capacity appears to be modulated by environmental factors, including physical exercise and social interaction, which promote the release of neurotrophic factors that support synaptic growth. However, researchers caution that the extent of plasticity is not uniform across all cognitive domains; while sensory and motor cortices show remarkable flexibility, higher-order functions like abstract reasoning may be more resistant to change. These findings have profound implications for educational policy, suggesting that lifelong learning initiatives could mitigate age-related cognitive decline and enhance mental well-being in older populations.
❓ 该段落所描述的研究的主要发现是什么?
A. A) 成年人的大脑在青春期后完全固定,无法改变。
B. B) 成年人的神经可塑性仅限于感觉和运动区域。
C. C) 成年大脑保持着显著的可塑性,这种可塑性可受环境因素和学习的影响。
D. D) 终身学习对老年人的认知功能没有影响。
✅ 正确答案
C) The adult brain retains significant plasticity, which can be influenced by environmental factors and learning.