Doidge (2010), referring to a study undertaken by Michael Merzenich et al. (1983), found that “[w]hen it came to allocating brain‑processing power,” the brain allocated “[its] neurological resources” to those parts of the brain that were the most active.
Doidge highlights that the focus of the research conducted by Merzenich and his colleagues was “in improving people’s ability to ‘rewire and redesign’ the brain by training specific processing areas, called brain maps, so that they do more mental work,” and this increased mental work provides holistic benefits for the individual, in terms of enhanced skills and knowledge potential but also improved critical thinking capacity, and greater depth in analytical thinking.
Do You Know the Way to San Jose?
My ongoing neuroscience research, which included exploration of brain maps, on this particular occasion, brought to mind the song: “Do You Know the Way to San Jose” (Bacharach & David, 1968). Why this was the case, I have no idea, but there it was, the tune and the words: “Do you know the way to San Jose?” la, la, laaa, la lah! These were the only words that immediately came to my mind. What did this mean? There was no meaning, but there it was, the song asking the question: “Do you know the way to San Jose?”
Having now asked the question why, perhaps it does make sense; “maps” and “brain maps” prompted my mind to bring into conscious realization the song “Do you know the way to San Jose.” As such, on this occasion if you are asking a person for directions with the question: “Do you know the way to San Jose?” the individual being asked may decide to present a map. Which, self-evidently, would be an immediate ideal solution. This map could be a paper map (which would now, in our “digital age” could be extremely rare).
That is because in our “Digital Age,” this now digital map would be presented with few “taps” or “swipes” on a technological device that would almost instantly provide the visual and even auditory answer to the question: “Do you know the way to San Jose?” This digital map presentation could take anywhere in the world. However! For a digital device to work, internet and/or data connectivity is needed. On the other hand, for a paper map, the information is there, no matter where you are! So, perhaps, keeping a paper map as a backup is a good idea — in fact, perhaps, even a brilliant idea!
However, here’s the catch, in colloquial terms, when it comes to brain maps, “it ain’t that easy!”
As noted above, brain maps do not manifest themselves. Brain maps take shape through the personal effort of thoughts and action. The development and creation of brain maps involve the activation of neurons, synapses, myelin, and neuronal assemblies, all of which contribute to what could be described as a process of cognitive amplification that, as noted, advances critical thinking, skills, and the potential for knowledge, insights and creativity taking place.
The Neuron
A neuron is a specialized cell of the nervous system that receives, integrates, and transmits information through electrical and chemical signals. Neurons consist of three main parts: dendrites (which receive input), the cell body or soma (which integrates signals), and the axon (which sends output to other neurons or muscles). Communication occurs via action potentials and synaptic transmission, enabling complex processes like perception, movement, and cognition (Bota & Swanson, 2007).
Myelin
Myelin is a white, fatty dielectric (electrically insulating) substance mainly made up of lipids and lipoproteins that surrounds axons. These axons can also be called neurological pathways or nerves. Myelin forms an insulating layer around these axons, helping electrical impulses travel efficiently and quickly along nerve cells (Coyle, 2009).
The Synapse
Synapses enable chemical communication between neurons and other cells via neurotransmitters. When an electrical signal reaches a synapse, it is converted into a chemical signal, and neurotransmitters are released across the synaptic cleft, allowing the signal to continue. Additionally, neurons naturally have the biological capacity to move closer together to form large collective groups, known as neuronal assemblies (Buzsáki, 2010).
Neuronal assemblies
The purpose of these neuronal assemblies is to strengthen each neuron’s influence within the assembly, which is then distributed across all other neuronal assemblies and related brain maps throughout the brain.
An important point to note, according to Suzuki and Fitzpatrick (2015), is that these neuronal assemblies are not fixed or stable. “These networks are constantly reforming themselves into new neuronal assemblies.”
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This ongoing neurological remodelling continues to improve and expand the brain’s flexibility and functional capacity, a phenomenon known as combined biological and cognitive amplification (Holtmaat & Caroni, 2016; Suzuki & Fitzpatrick, 2015).
Cognitive amplification
These neuronal assemblies enhance each neuron’s capacity, which is then shared across all other neuronal assemblies and brain maps. Cognitive practice involves the ongoing development of thinking potential, linked to the ideas and realities of what is called critical thinking, all of which, then hopefully, leads to progress in skills and knowledge. However, none of this will ever happen without effort.
I Have Found the Way to San Jose
Maps, as noted, are valuable; however, what is even more important is having the neurobiological brain map, which brings into existence the neurological firings and the conscious cognitive abilities (which then also develop the critical thinking skills, the insights, creativity, and knowledge that enable an individual (and an organization) to create a paper map and/or ultimately develop the digital device that digitally presents the map, providing the answer to the individual who initially asked the question: “Do you know the way to San Jose?” (Bacharach & David, 1968; Buzsáki, 2010; Doidge, 2010; Holtmaat & Caroni, 2016; Merzenich et al., 1983; Purnell, 2013; Sporns et al., 2005).