Ideas worth spreading

Growing evidence of brain plasticity

1,608,551 views | Michael Merzenich • TED2004

Neuroscientist Michael Merzenich looks at one of the secrets of the brain's incredible power: its ability to actively re-wire itself. He's researching ways to harness the brain's plasticity to enhance our skills and recover lost function.

Neuroscientist Michael Merzenich looks at one of the secrets of the brain's incredible power: its ability to actively re-wire itself. He's researching ways to harness the brain's plasticity to enhance our skills and recover lost function.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

About the speaker

Michael Merzenich

See speaker profile

Michael Merzenich studies neuroplasticity -- the brain's powerful ability to change itself and adapt -- and ways we might make use of that plasticity to heal injured brains and enhance the skills in healthy ones.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.