New York: Leslie Huang of Syosset High School and Her Insights

Hi! My name is Leslie Huang and I'm 16 years old. I'm from New York and have a strong interest in healthcare. Some of my favorite activities include ballet, track and field, and spending time with friends and family.

Reviewed Article: Innovative Approaches and Therapies to Enhance Neuroplasticity and Promote Recovery in Patients With Neurological Disorders: A Narrative Review by Jitesh Kumar et al.

Main Argument & Findings:

The main argument of this article is that improving neuroplasticity is key to brain rehabilitation. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to adjust and repair itself and proves to be crucial for recovery following a stroke, neurodegenerative illness, or traumatic brain injury. The article delves into various approaches, such as non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, VR/gamified rehabilitation, pharmaceutical therapies, neuromodulation techniques, exercise, and cognitive training. The article also sheds light on the challenges of neuroplasticity research. Everyone’s brain is different which calls for a lot of patient variability, therefore requiring highly tailored treatment plans and extensive research. This has made me realize that neuroplasticity is not necessarily innate, but rather a process that can be enhanced and improved upon through various interventions.

Importance for Youth:

This information is important for youth to acknowledge because understanding neuroplasticity can help them make informed decisions that promote brain health. Knowing this can be empowering, as it allows them to take control of their cognitive health and be motivated to constantly strive for personal growth.

What I Learned: 

I learned what exactly neuroplasticity is and how it relates to cognitive health. Encouraging people to take care of their brains is a proactive approach to maintaining and strengthening cognitive function. This understanding of neuroplasticity can be applied to everyday life, whether that includes regular exercise or consistently challenging your brain with new activities. It’s not just about treating cognitive decline after it occurs, but about actively preventing it before it starts.

Citations: Kumar J, Patel T, Sugandh F, Dev J, Kumar U, Adeeb M, Kachhadia MP, Puri P, Prachi F, Zaman MU, Kumar S, Varrassi G, Syed ARS. Innovative Approaches and Therapies to Enhance Neuroplasticity and Promote Recovery in Patients With Neurological Disorders: A Narrative Review. Cureus. 2023 Jul 15;15(7):e41914. doi: 10.7759/cureus.41914. PMID: 37588309; PMCID: PMC10425702.

IG: @leslie.huang_