The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science

The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science by psychiatrist-researcher Norman Doidge catalogues recent scientific breakthroughs in neuroplasticity. It explores why scientists long believed in a hardwired, unchanging brain and how the discovery of plasticity changed not only the field of neuroscience but people’s understanding of human nature. It was first published by Penguin Books in 2007 and became a New York Times bestseller the same year. The Brain That Changes Itself was met with positive reviews for using accessible language to address neurobiology. It is praised by experts for its research, though some have questioned Doidge’s occasional tendency to rely on individual case studies to make generalizations.

This study guide refers to the 2007 Penguin edition of the book.

Content Warning: The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science uses the outdated “retardation” as a medical term in Chapter 2. It also discusses alcoholism and sexual abuse in Chapter 4, a physical assault in Chapter 11, and animal testing in Chapters 2, 3, 5 and 6—ranging from the altering of genes to premature termination.

Summary

The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science explores the history of neuroplasticity and its effect on human behavior. It uses individual medical cases—from patients who suffered brain damage at birth to older people looking to keep their mental faculties active—to illustrate the extent to which the brain can adapt to changes. Structurally, the book is divided into 11 chapters, each telling the story of a patient who was successful in adapting their brain to a new situation. These case studies are supported by peer-reviewed research and Doidge’s interviews with doctors, who are among the world’s most prominent neuroscientists.

Chapter 1 discusses the case of a woman who sustained damage to her vestibular apparatus and lost the ability to balance. She was treated by a team of neuroscientists led by Dr. Paul Bach-y-Rita, whose belief in the plastic brain led to the invention of a machine to help the brain learn.

Chapter 2 comments on the plastic brain’s resilience, using Barbara Arrowsmith Young’s case to illustrate how children and adults alike can overcome learning disabilities using specific mental and physical exercises.

Chapter 3 explores the work of American neuroscientist Michael Merzenich, who is known for refining the micro-electrode brain mapping technique and inventing brain-training exercises such as Fast ForWord. There are critical periods when the brain is more receptive to learning specific skills, and missing these periods can create long-lasting disabilities. Nevertheless, the brain remains plastic until death, so well-designed programs can enhance memory and speed of thought.

Chapter 4 borrows Sigmund Freud’s theory on human sexuality to discuss how the plastic brain is at the core of people’s ability to acquire new romantic and sexual habits.

Chapter 5 provides an overview of neurologist Edward Taub’s work on behavioral neuroscience and physical therapy. It explores his earlier research, involvement in the Silver Spring monkeys case, and development of constraint-induced movement therapy. This work led him to design a rehabilitation program that could help patients with long-term paralysis regain movement.

Chapter 6 observes the negative implications of neuroplasticity. It argues that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a result of the plastic brain making unhealthy connections. Psychotherapy, sometimes used in conjunction with drugs, can treat OCD by rewiring these connections.

Chapter 7 explores the potential harm of neuroplasticity, including phantom pain. Neurologist V. S. Ramachandran uses neuroplastic therapy to work through this pain, highlighting how thoughts alone can sometimes rewire the brain.

Chapter 8 discusses Alvaro Pascual-Leone’s work on transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which proves imagination and visualization alone can help people learn physical tasks.

Like Chapters 7-8, Chapter 9 reiterates that psychoanalysis (“talking therapy”) can help reduce clinical depression and anxiety. It is the only chapter that uses Doidge’s own research as evidence of the brain’s ability to heal from trauma.

Chapters 10-11 underline the most radical cases of brain plasticity. Chapter 10 uses the case of 90-year-old Dr. Stanley Karansky to prove even the elderly can improve mental power through adequate exercise. Chapter 11 presents the case of Michelle Mack, a woman who remains independent despite missing the left hemisphere of her brain.