雅思阅读

📖 Reading Passage

The concept of neural plasticity, once a revolutionary idea in neuroscience, has now become a cornerstone of modern cognitive research. Contrary to the long-held belief that the adult brain is structurally fixed, studies have demonstrated that synaptic connections can be strengthened or weakened in response to experience. This adaptability is particularly pronounced during critical periods in childhood, but recent evidence suggests that learning and environmental enrichment can induce neurogenesis in the hippocampus even in adulthood. However, plasticity is not inherently beneficial; maladaptive plasticity can contribute to chronic pain or phantom limb syndrome. Thus, while the brain's capacity for change offers therapeutic potential for rehabilitation, it also underscores the need for carefully designed interventions that harness adaptive plasticity while mitigating its detrimental effects.