Roger Bartra "Antropology of the Brain"

We will approach the point of view that Roger Bartra points out in his book Anthropology of the Brain, where, in the chapter on brain plasticity, he addresses two different ways in which this process is generated. Exposes that PC, is related to the processes of genesis and development of circuits that are not directly genetically determined, cites us that a more recent discovery was the knowledge that there are genes (each gene contains a DNA, which produces a class of protein) that are not permanently off or on, but turn on or off based on experience. In the brain, then, we will have to change proteins according to experience. With the above, Roger suggests how the PC is generated from neural circuits that require experience through external stimuli (environment) to complete. This was demonstrated in an experiment with cats, where one group was allowed to move freely, the second group was restricted movement for a time, later the two groups are allowed to move freely, noting that the second group had limitations By moving although it was no longer restricted, this concludes how experience influences the formation of maps in the parietal lobes, which allow the individual to be aware of the space around them. He also talks about the PC generated as a consequence of learning, citing the experiments of William Greenough, who, with his group, did experiments on rats of early age (28 to 32 days) that they placed in different environments, the first group placed them in individual cages and they were given food and water. The second group was in large cages along with other rats; where they had various toys and a variety of interesting and changing stimuli that they could freely explore. Upon examining their brains a month later, large differences were found in neural structures. The second group had greater connectivity between their neurons. Another study that has been done in animals and humans, has shown the sensitivity and vulnerability of the hippocampus (structure in the brain that is linked to memory processes) to psychosocial stresses, demonstrating how hormonal changes are generated that impact the CP of the individual, it has been seen how a continuous tension in the person can cause atrophy of the hippocampal pyramidal neurons (1).

As you see, every day more has been studied about human behavior and how changes are taking place at an organic level, which allows us to know and understand the importance that exists between our environment and our capacity.

* Anthropology of the Brain, consciousness and symbolic systems, Roger Bartra, 2012 third reprint, Mexico; FCE 2007. 1.-Bruce S Mc Ewen, “Stress, sex, and the structural and functional plasticity of the hippocampus”