The enriching power of neurological rewiring

An enriched environment develops a thicker, richer and heavier neocortex

From a neurological, cognitive and learning perspective, in research undertaken by Kimble (1992), he discovered that rodents, which had been exposed to an enriched, stimulating and complex housing environment; that these rodents had a thicker, richer and heavier neocortex, when compared with the rodents that were not exposed to a complex housing environment. In terms of actual physiological differences, Kimble (1992, p. 123) reported that the neocortex of the rodents in the complex housed and exercising condition was “about 5 percent heavier than that of rats in the impoverished environment, and about 2 percent heavier than that of rats in the standard condition”.

The enriching power of neurological rewiring

In terms of the brain’s neurology, (Kimble, 1992, p. 123) found that the additional weight of the brain was due in large part to an increase in the “number and extent of branching of the basal dendrites of pyramidal neurons in the neocortex.” Pyramidal neurons, which are also referred to as pyramidal cells, are a specific category of neurons which are found in parts of the brain that includes the amygdala, the hippocampus, and the cerebral cortex. Pyramidal neurons are considered to be the main excitation parts of the prefrontal cortex and the corticospinal tract of mammals.

From a cognitive and learning perspective Kimble (1992, p. 125) observed that “an increase of 20 percent could result in 2000 more synapses per neuron.” In terms of neurological power, this would mean that there would now be “literally trillions more synapses when arithmetical adjustments are made for comparison to the human brain.” Doidge (2015, p. 109) adds to this by stating: “Everyday thought, especially when used systematically, is a potent way to stimulate neurons” which rewires the brain, changes thinking and changes behaviours. The key application for this rewiring is that the thinking and action needs to be employed regularly and systematically.

About the author

Dr Ragnar Purje holds the position of Adjunct Lecturer School of Education and the Arts, Central Queensland University. His thesis focussed on the success of his pioneering form of acquired brain injury complex movement therapy. The therapy is now referred to as CBBMMT (Complex Brain-Based Multi-Movement Therapy). Ragnar’s thesis added two new descriptors into the lexicon of human biology; these are neurofluidityand hólos.Neurofluidity are the neurological processes that lead to the condition of brain plasticity. The hólos is a term which, for the first time in history (to the best of Ragnar’s research and understanding), provides a descriptor which unifies the brain and the body, with one word. Prior to this the brain and the body had always been referred to as two separate entities, i.e. the brain andthe body. Hólos derives from the Greek: ?λο? ? ? ólos. The English word holistic is derived from hólos. Holistic and hólos offer the same classification. Holistic and hólos incorporate the concept of holism.

Ragnar is the author of Responsibility Theory? (A new consideration in neuroeducation). Empowering Teachers. Transforming Students. He is the initiator of NeuroNumeracy?, an intensive self-motivating and transformative neuroscience brain-based numeracy learning program for children, the purpose of which is to enhance their skills, knowledge and understanding of the four operations in mathematics.

He is also the developer of the Responsibility Theory? NeuroEducation Self-Empowerment Project (If I can change my thinking, I can change my behaviour and my life). The Project is based on neuroscience and brain plasticity research. It is suitable for schools, colleges, corporations, or any organisation interested in advancing personal and social wellbeing by constructively and systematically dealing with negative life-style choices and negative influences of peers and others. “Everyday thought, especially when used systematically, is a potent way to stimulate neurons” (Doidge, 2015, p. 109), which rewires the brain and can change behaviour. If I can change my thinking, I can change my behaviour and my life.

Ragnar has also completed three Master of Education degrees (one in education; one in guidance and counselling; and one in leadership and management). He has two Bachelor degrees (Physical Education and Psychology). He has also completed five Post-Graduate awards (education; sports science; exercise and the sports sciences; health counselling; and communication studies). Ragnar is a former Australian karate champion.