The Brain Can Really ‘Rust’

It is a commonly held belief that if you don't use your brain sufficiently, it may at least cease to function properly. It is predicated on the idea that the brain functions similarly to muscles, which require regular training to stay in top shape, rather than as a sophisticated network of interconnected neurons that is unique to the human body.

For neuroscientists, it's a particularly fascinating subject since it touches on the principles of how our brains work. The brain literally never stops growing, as we are slowly learning. Studies continue to show that the brain is a continually changing structure, capable of altering the trajectory of its development in reaction to incidents like catastrophic accidents. Additionally, it has been discovered that constant brain activity is essential for neurons to renew and form new connections, a process that continues throughout our lives.