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.
❓ この文章で述べられている研究の主な発見は何ですか?
A. A) 成人の脳は完全に固定されており、思春期以降は変化することができない。
B. B) 成人における神経可塑性は、感覚野と運動野にのみ限られている。
C. C) 成人の脳は顕著な可塑性を保持しており、それは環境要因や学習によって影響を受ける可能性がある。
D. D) 生涯学習は高齢者の認知機能に影響を与えない。
✅ 正确答案
C) The adult brain retains significant plasticity, which can be influenced by environmental factors and learning.
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