Neurogenesis, neuroplasticity, and brain imaging technologies in psychology

Concepts in Psychology
Concept 1: Neurogenesis
Because the brain is the “crowning glory” of the human being, it becomes critical for research psychologists to understand how the brain functions and how to maximize the potential of the brain to enhance human potential (Nevid, 2018, p. 54). Recent research has revealed that the adult can indeed manufacture new neurons. Moreover, the process of neurogenesis may also be related to neuroplasticity: the ability of the human brain to form new pathways with, in, or among different sections of the brain (Kemperman, Song & Gage, 2015). In this way, both neurogenesis and neuroplasticity show how human beings can overcome psychological disorders resulting from damage to the brain and its structures.
Neurogenesis is, however, a controversial topic in psychological science and neurobiology. As Yong (2018) points out, not all scientists agree that the adult human brain is capable of neurogenesis in spite of the quality of experimental research that supports the theory. Ming & Song (2011) show how research in adult neurogenesis is “poised to leap forward in the next decade,” (p. 687). Although neurogenesis has mainly been observed in the hippocampus section of the brain, it is possible that future research will reveal that the brain does have the capacity to generate new cells in other parts of the brain. Even if neurogenesis can only occur in the hippocampus, the implications are meaningful especially to shed light on improving human memory and learning capacity during the aging process. Understanding neurogenesis may even help illustrate possible mechanisms of preventing or reversing the signs of dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other memory disorders.
While I have no way of knowing whether I personally generate new neurons, I certainly hope that research in this field progresses rapidly. I have some relatives and know other elders with cognitive and memory dysfunction. Neurogenesis may become one of the most promising keys to alleviating suffering related to cognitive or memory disorders.
Concept 2: Methods of Studying the Brain
The brain functions as a command and control center for the body, necessitating advanced methods of observing brain states, structures, and functions. As Nevid (2018) points out, new technologies have allowed neuroscientists and neurosurgeons the opportunity to study the brain without using overly invasive procedures. The most commonly used methods of studying the human brain include electroencephalograph (EEG), computed tomography (CT) scans, positron emission tomography (PET) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Additional emerging technologies used for studying the brain include lesioning, electrical recording, and electrical stimulation. One of the most important uses for brain imaging techniques of all types is to diagnose problems that may be associated with congenital or developmental disorders or to injuries occurring to the brain. Using various methods of studying the brain also provides physicians and other members of a healthcare team ample evidence that can be use to offer accurate diagnoses and appropriate courses of treatment. Some of the methods of studying the brain may be more effective in some cases, particularly when a condition is life-threatening and warrants immediate surgical intervention (Wintermark, Sanelli, Anzai, et al., 2015).
Using methods of studying the brain can also be a crucial part of the advancement of research in neuroscience and cognitive science. Using MRI and other devices, researchers can learn about how the brain processes information including external stimuli but also emotions. The MRI was integral in revealing the brain functions involved in the tickle response, showing that the element of surprise is necessary in order to perceive a sensation as being ticklish (Nevid, 2018). Neuroimaging and experimental methods of studying the brain can also be used for marketing purposes, for responding more effectively to psychological disorders, or understanding more about the role that nature and nurture play in human personality development (Nevid, 2018). Most people will be familiar with the concept of brain imaging, which has also been featured in medical science and science fiction movies.
Concept Three: Circadian Rhythms
The concept of circadian rhythms in the human body is integral to understanding the function of sleep. Remarkably, all living organisms have circadian rhythms, cycles that fluctuate in response both to sleep and wake states but also to daylight versus darkness (Nevin, 2018). Circadian rhythms shed light on why people feel more tired during some times of day or more uplifted during other times, or why some people are night owls and some are morning people. Furthermore, circadian rhythms have a strong bearing on all bodily functions including digestion and metabolism but also mood, information processing, perception, and cognition. In fact, circadian rhythms may be implicated in the etiology of serious illnesses like liver disease (Tahara & Shibata, 2016). Circadian rhythms are also implicated in mood disorders including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder (Landgraf, Long, Proulx, et al., 2016). Therefore, it is important to learn more about circadian rhythms and how to regulate them, beginning with its source in the brain’s hippocampus.
As an internal clock of sorts, the circadian rhythm concept seems difficult to grasp given the way people function in the modern world. When sleep and wake cycles are regular and regulated by the sun, it may be easier to remain stable and avoid some of the problems that are associated with disruptions to the circadian rhythms. Because we stay up late at night, alternating with early mornings, while also traveling long distances across time zones, it is impossible to imagine a means by which to stabilize circadian rhythms to enjoy better health outcomes. Thus, scientists may be able to come up with ways of compensating for these disruptions to natural sleep/wake cycles.
Concept Four: Lucid Dreaming
One of the most fascinating areas of study in the field of consciousness research is lucid dreaming. Lucid dreaming refers to a dream state in which the individual is conscious that they are in fact dreaming. “Relatively few people” can achieve this state of consciousness (Nevid, 2018, p. 145). Typically a person is fully engaged in their dream scenario and assumes a passive role. Lucid dreaming is far from frivolous, too. As interesting as it is experientially, lucid dreaming could offer some keys to mastering human consciousness in meaningful ways. For example, some studies show that lucid dreamers can use their unique state of mind to practice motor skills that help them improve their performance in sports (Schadlich, Erlacher & Schredli, 2016). The lucid dream state involves gaining some control over the dream narrative, too, which could truncate nightmares and provide the dreamer with a greater sense of control over adverse stimuli in waking life (Stumbrys & Erlacher, 2016).
Furthermore, lucid dreaming is a “learnable skill” with “a wide range of potential applications,” (Apsy, Delfabbro, Proeve, et al., 2017). While it does seem challenging to learn how to become conscious in a dream, there is reason to believe that the state of mind required for lucid dreaming could be akin to that of mindfulness in meditation (Stumbrys & Erlacher, 2016). I have personally experienced lucid dreaming a handful of times and found it thrilling. Typically the dreams involve flying or have a similarly high degree of intensity or excitement. I have also seen movies that mention lucid dreaming, showing that people are interested in capitalizing on the time we spend sleeping.
Concept Five: Conditioning the Immune System
Finally, Nevid (2018) touches briefly upon a fascinating concept central to mind-body medicine: the possibility of using classical conditioning to influence the body’s immune system. Nevid (2018) refers to a breakthrough study in which the researchers discovered that rats could be trained to associate sugar water with immune system suppression. Rats in the experimental condition received a drug that lowered the immune system response. They were given that drug in conjunction with some sugar water. Rats in the control condition received only the sugar water. There is no way the rats in the experimental condition could have consciously known that they were receiving a drug that suppressed their immune system. Yet even when the sugar water was administered without the drug to the rats in the experimental condition, they continued to demonstrate suppressed immune responses. Further research also showed that other stimuli can be paired with immune system suppressants. In this way, human beings may be training themselves unconsciously to have adverse reactions to stimuli. The reverse must certainly be true: a person can use classical conditioning to train the body to have a healthy immune system response.
Research in this area is in its infancy, but still remains promising. For example, Lisboa, Niraula, Shea, et al. (2016) study the impact of social distress and PTSD on immune system responses. The symptoms of repeated social defeat induce some of the physiological responses associated with immune deficiency or immune suppression such as myeloid cell trafficking, neuroinflammation and prolonged anxiety-like behavior (Lisboa, Niraula, Shea, et al., 2016). These physiological responses then become entrained, whereby the individual induces the adverse immune response even when there is no social defeat or other stressful incident. Research like this demonstrates the intimate, but often unconscious, connection between mental and physical states. The topic is of interest to me because I know people with severe mental and physical disorders that can both be traced to underlying states of anxiety.

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