Neuroplasticity and Trauma to the Brain

Allow me a minor rant.

A young adult patient who had a brain tumor removed was trying to figure out the next step. So, he was seen by a very well-regarded program. The outcome of a major workup by professionals in neurology and neuropsychology yielded the recommendation see a psychiatrist to help with anxiety; see a psychologist to help with organization and homework strategies; and, have the school provide modifications such as extended time on tests and a reduced schedule. Or maybe, refer to memory books to find strategies for remembering what he learns.

People, this is inadequate. We can do much better.

We have learned so much about brain plasticity and have developed well-tested tools to engage the brain in self-repair. The docs that made me so irate should have recommend neurofeedback and computer-based programs such as FastForword, Cogmed, Interactive Metronome, etc.

Neurofeedback is the primary approach approved for veterans who have suffered traumatic brain injuries related to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. If you have a teenager who has had brain surgery to remove a tumor why would you not recommend that the family seek similar services to normalize the teen’s brain?

Yet, premier programs that should have cutting-edge approaches recommend nothing more than the standard responses.

When my sister-in-law had her vestibular system attacked by a virus she was told that since she did not have significant positive response to the usual vestibular rehabilitation therapy she would just have to continue doing the exercises and hope to see improvement. Hope is good but you need more. This is a prescription for depression.

Alarmed, I told her that the brain is plastic and can rewire. I had her read books by Norman Doidge: The Brain That Changes Itself and The Brain’s Way of Healing. She also found a new neurologist who talked about brain plasticity and what she needed to do to improve her functioning. My sister-in-law has made fabulous strides and is happy. Had she just stayed with the first recommendations she would have stayed discouraged and helpless.

I cannot emphasize this enough: The brain changes with intention. People who make remarkable recoveries often work very hard to get there, but significant recovery is possible and it sure beats complacency.

Now, I am not recommending everything that calls itself brain training. The research behind the programs I mentioned is extensive. Michael Merzenich is referenced in Dr. Doidge’s books. Look him up. He has done much to help people with language disorders, autism, and cognitive decline.

When I am not in rant mode, I will take a moment to talk about how understanding more about neuroplasticity has helped me and my colleagues think about aging differently.