Neuroplasticity occurs through cellular changes due to learning and memorizing, but also within large-scale changes of cortical remapping in response to injury. Neurogenesis of brain cells can take place in certain locations of the brain, such as the hippocampus, the olfactory bulb, and the cerebellum.

Does neuroplasticity occur in the cortex?

Developmental plasticity occurs most profoundly in the first few years of life as neurons grow very rapidly and send out multiple branches, ultimately forming too many connections. In fact, at birth, each neuron in the cerebral cortex (the highly convoluted outer layer of the cerebrum) has about 2,500 synapses.

Does neuroplasticity only occur in the brain?

Scientists now think that neuroplasticity occurs throughout all life stages, having extensive capacities from childhood development through healing diseases (Doidge, 2007). The brain can rearrange itself in terms of the functions it carries out, as well as in terms of the basic underlying structure (Zilles, 1992).