--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the past two decades, research has…" description: "\"“In the past two decades, research has revealed that the brain has a surprising level of neuroplasticity, meaning an ability to change its structures a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e33/catherine-m-pittman-33941_ability-to-change_in-the-past-two-decades-research-has-rev_2825132.jpg" --- # In the past two decades, research has revealed that the… ![“In the past two decades, research has revealed that the brain has a surprising level of neuroplasticity, meaning an ability to change its structures and reorganize its patterns of reacting.” quote by Catherine M. Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e33/catherine-m-pittman-33941_ability-to-change_in-the-past-two-decades-research-has-rev_2825132.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e33/catherine-m-pittman-33941_ability-to-change_in-the-past-two-decades-research-has-rev_2825132.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e33/catherine-m-pittman-33941_ability-to-change_in-the-past-two-decades-research-has-rev_2825132.jpg) > ““In the past two decades, research has revealed that the brain has a surprising level of neuroplasticity, meaning an ability to change its structures and reorganize its patterns of reacting.”” [Catherine M. Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-m-pittman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The brain can reorganize and change its structures throughout life. **In simple terms:** The brain remains adaptable. Key Takeaway Leverage neuroplasticity for growth. Themes neuroplasticity brain adaptability learning Mood scientific optimistic Type academic informative When to use this quote - education - rehabilitation - skill acquisition Key Concepts neuroscience cognitive flexibility Questions to Reflect On - What habits can you rewire? - How does neuroplasticity affect aging? 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The French learned that the people have power to make change, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-r-lemieux/don-t-be-afraid-to-go-left-when-the-world-is-going-right-the-french/) [Martin R. Lemieux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-r-lemieux/) ## More by Catherine M. Pittman > [“The amygdala can accomplish its quick response because of the special properties of another nucleus within it: the central nucleus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-m-pittman/the-amygdala-can-accomplish-its-quick-response-because-of-the-special/) [Catherine M. Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-m-pittman/) > [“The frontal lobes are one of the most important parts of the cortex to understand.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-m-pittman/the-frontal-lobes-are-one-of-the-most-important-parts-of-the-cortex/) [Catherine M. Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-m-pittman/) > [“The quick reaction that results from the amygdala pathway is typically called the fight-or-flight response.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-m-pittman/the-quick-reaction-that-results-from-the-amygdala-pathway-is/) [Catherine M. Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-m-pittman/) > [“The lateral nucleus is the part of the amygdala that receives incoming messages from the senses.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-m-pittman/the-lateral-nucleus-is-the-part-of-the-amygdala-that-receives/) [Catherine M. Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-m-pittman/) > [“The close connection of the central nucleus to elements of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) provides the amygdala with a great deal of influence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-m-pittman/the-close-connection-of-the-central-nucleus-to-elements-of-the/) [Catherine M. Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-m-pittman/) > [“the brain is hardwired to allow the amygdala to seize control in times of danger. And because of this wiring, it’s difficult to directly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-m-pittman/the-brain-is-hardwired-to-allow-the-amygdala-to-seize-control-in/) [Catherine M. Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-m-pittman/) > [“Cortisol increases blood sugar levels, giving you the energy you need to use your muscles. Adrenaline (also called epinephrine) gives you an energetic feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-m-pittman/cortisol-increases-blood-sugar-levels-giving-you-the-energy-you-need/) [Catherine M. Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-m-pittman/) > [“The frontal lobes are said to have executive functions, meaning that they are where the supervision of many brain processes occurs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-m-pittman/the-frontal-lobes-are-said-to-have-executive-functions-meaning-that/) [Catherine M. Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-m-pittman/) > [“When information comes in through your sense organs, it’s directed to the thalamus, which is like the Grand Central Station of the brain”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-m-pittman/when-information-comes-in-through-your-sense-organs-it-s-directed-to/) [Catherine M. Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-m-pittman/) > [“The role of the amygdala is to attach emotional significance to situations or objects and to form emotional memories.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-m-pittman/the-role-of-the-amygdala-is-to-attach-emotional-significance-to/) [Catherine M. Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-m-pittman/) > [“Approaches to treating anxiety that target the cortex pathway are numerous and typically focus on cognitions, the psychological term for the mental processes that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-m-pittman/approaches-to-treating-anxiety-that-target-the-cortex-pathway-are/) [Catherine M. Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-m-pittman/) > [“The role of the SNS is to create the fight-or-flight response, an effect that is balanced by the influences of the parasympathetic nervous system…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-m-pittman/the-role-of-the-sns-is-to-create-the-fight-or-flight-response-an/) [Catherine M. Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-m-pittman/) > [“The existence of different memory systems explains why you can experience anxiety in a situation without any conscious memory (or understanding) of why the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-m-pittman/the-existence-of-different-memory-systems-explains-why-you-can/) [Catherine M. Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-m-pittman/) [Explore all 14 Catherine M. Pittman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-m-pittman/) ## More Ability to change quotes > [“Don't be afraid to go left when the world is going right. The French learned that the people have power to make change, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-r-lemieux/don-t-be-afraid-to-go-left-when-the-world-is-going-right-the-french/) [Martin R. Lemieux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-r-lemieux/) > [You have the capability to change your life all with a simple shift in perspective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/you-have-the-capability-to-change-your-life-all-with-a-simple-shift/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [“Success is the ability to change some one's perception of life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeeshan-raza/success-is-the-ability-to-change-some-one-s-perception-of-life/) [Zeeshan Raza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeeshan-raza/) > [We may not have the ability to change all of the world's wrongs, but we can make a difference where we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dillon-burroughs/we-may-not-have-the-ability-to-change-all-of-the-world-s-wrongs-but/) [Dillon Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dillon-burroughs/) > [“Cinderella, until lately, has never been a passive dreamer waiting for rescue. The forerunners of the Ash-girl have all been hardy, active heroines who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-yolen/cinderella-until-lately-has-never-been-a-passive-dreamer-waiting-for/) [Jane Yolen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-yolen/) > [It always blows me away when I see people freak out because I've changed my mind on something. I'm not an elected official, folks.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-quesada/it-always-blows-me-away-when-i-see-people-freak-out-because-i-ve/) [Joe Quesada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-quesada/) > [Victoria's Secret should highlight real women that actually purchase their clothing. I would love for them to start featuring more real bodies and diverse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rain-dove/victoria-s-secret-should-highlight-real-women-that-actually-purchase/) [Rain Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rain-dove/) > [“In a world of change and decay not even the man of faith can be completely happy. Instinctively he seeks the unchanging and is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-w-tozer-3/in-a-world-of-change-and-decay-not-even-the-man-of-faith-can-be/) [A W Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer-3/) > [The concept of making a movie in which the director dictates is kind of exotic - and absolutely not truthful. Directing means allowing a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luca-guadagnino/the-concept-of-making-a-movie-in-which-the-director-dictates-is-kind/) [Luca Guadagnino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luca-guadagnino/) > [Our population and our use of the finite resources of planet Earth are growing exponentially, along with our technical ability to change the environment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hawking/our-population-and-our-use-of-the-finite-resources-of-planet-earth/) [Stephen Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hawking/) > [Wake up everyday with confidence, knowing you have the ability to change the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isiahnunn/wake-up-everyday-with-confidence-knowing-you-have-the-ability-to/) [IsiahNunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isiahnunn/) > [“That is what you love a friend for: the ability to change your angle of vision, bring back your best self when you feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/that-is-what-you-love-a-friend-for-the-ability-to-change-your-angle/) [Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/) > [“God gives us the sun and also one moment in which we have the ability to change everything that makes us unhappy. Everyday, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/god-gives-us-the-sun-and-also-one-moment-in-which-we-have-the-ability/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [Fortunately women have the miraculous ability to change the meaning of their actions after the event.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/fortunately-women-have-the-miraculous-ability-to-change-the-meaning/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [Adaptability to change is itself a hallmark of successful education.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-hilton/adaptability-to-change-is-itself-a-hallmark-of-successful-education/) [Peter Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-hilton/) [Browse all 167 Ability to change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability-to-change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“In the past two decades, research has revealed that the brain has a surprising level of neuroplasticity, meaning an ability to change its structures and reorganize its patterns of reacting.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Catherine M. 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