The Brain That Changes Itself
Date Recorded: Sep 6th, 2008
Recorded At: Toronto, Ontario
Recorded By: Big Ideas, www.tvo.org/bigideas
Duration: 59:30
Topic Background
During the lecture, Dr. Doidge presents research that the brain is a plastic, living organ that can actually, through thoughts, change its own structure and function, even into old age. He frames this research as arguably the most important breakthrough in neuroscience since scientists first sketched out the brain’s basic anatomy; and contends that this discovery, called neuroplasticity, promises to overthrow the centuries-old notion that the brain is fixed and unchanging or “hardwired” like a computer. Dr. Doidge suggests that neuroplasticity not only gives hope to those with mental limitations, or what was thought to be incurable brain damage, but expands our understanding of the healthy brain and the resilience of human nature, and has profound implications for understanding the mysteries of love, sexual attraction, taste, culture and education.
Speaker Biography
Dr. Doidge is a nationally-renowned researcher and author from Columbia University’s Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research, and a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, at the University of Toronto’s Department of Psychiatry.
His book, The Brain That Changes Itself ,was published by Viking Penguin, in December, 2007. He is a native of Toronto.
For more information about Norman Doidge visit www.normandoidge.com