Artificial Neural Networks:

Neural Plasticity

Researches in Neurobiology have been checking that the plasticity of the nervous system is an only characteristic in relation to all the other organic systems. According to deGroot, "the neural plasticity is the property of the nervous system that allows the development of structural alterations in response to the experience, and as adaptation to mutant conditions and repeated incentives".

The illustrations show the expansion of the cortical representation of the fingertips in the cerebral fabric of a monkey. According to the picture, the finger tips 2, 3 and 4, that before the differential estimulation presented a certain representation area, expanded its cortex area after 3 months of the estimulation (represented by circles in the fingertips).

This fact is understood better through the morphologic-structural knowledge of the neuron, of the nature of its connections and of the organization of the cerebral associative areas. With no doubt the " learning can take to structural alterations in the brain " (Kandel). To each new experience of the individual, therefore, nets of neurons are rearranged, many other synapses are reinforced and multiple possibilities of answers to the atmosphere become possible. Therefore, " the an adult’s cortical map is liable to constant modifications basing in the use or activity of its outlying " sensorial roads (Kandel).

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Em: Redes Neurais Artificiais: Aprendizado e Plasticidade
Por: Malcon Anderson Tafner
Em: Revista "Cérebro & Mente" 2(5), Março/Maio 1998.