Book Review - The Brain that Changes itself - Norman Doidge
When I started the 2022 Non-fiction challenge ‘the brain that changes itself’ by Norman Doidge was the sort of book I thought I might struggle with. I have a blind spot when it comes to science and tend to avoid books on the subject. But it was also the reason I started the challenge - to push myself. It’s called a challenge for a reason, and it ties in with the message of this book.
Brain plasticity
In many ways, ‘the brain that changes itself’ was the perfect book for me. It’s a book about a interesting subject - Brain plasticity - and written in an accessible and engaging style. Doidge uses case studies involving actual patients who have suffered brain injuries and made recoveries. Some are these cases are fascinating. There is the woman who feels like she is constantly falling, and the lady who has only half a brain.
Medicine has long held the idea of ‘Localisation’ - the brain is static and each part performs only one function. Modern science has disproved this idea, and the book describes how the brain is much more fluid than this. It’s fascinating to see just how malleable the brain is, and how we can change it through learning and experience.
Phantom Limbs
I found the chapter on ‘pain’ to be fascinating, especially about Dr. Ramachandran, who became the first physician to ‘perform a seemingly impossible operation - the successful amputation of a phantom limb.’ Amazingly, this is done with mirrors.
As an animal lover, I did not like the references to animal testing throughout the book. I found some of the experiments, particularly on monkeys, to be disturbing, with casual mentioning of cutting nerves in arms and removing parts of the brain.
Rewiring the Brain
I was particularly interested in the work done on rewiring the brain, and some of the case studies on stroke victims were interesting. It takes work and time, but it does seem possible for the brain to rewire itself.
Like most people, I am aware of how ageing affects the brain. I struggle with my memory, and it’s something I need to work on. ‘Use it or lose it’ is very much the motto throughout and the section on our cognitive skills and the work of Dr. Merzenich inspired me to tryout his BrainHQ app.
Summary
I found ‘the brain that changes itself’ by Norman Doidge to be an engaging and accessible book about a subject I didn't know a lot about, so a perfect work of non-fiction for me. I’d definitely recommend it if you have any interest in the subject of the brain and neuroplasticity.
And if you find parts of hard going, stick with it. It felt good to concentrate on subjects I normally shy away from, and that can only be good for my brain.
Book review - The brain that changes itself’ by Norman Doidge
448 pages
Published March 15th 2007 by Penguin