Final answer:
The plasticity of the corpus callosum increases due to neuroplasticity, promoted by factors such as the formation of new synapses, hormonal changes, exercise, and environmental stresses. Neurogenesis and rewiring of neural connections also play a key role. All these factors help the corpus callosum and the brain adapt and change, supporting cognitive functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The plasticity of the corpus callosum increases due to various factors, including neuroplasticity, which allows the nervous system to change and adapt through experiences, developmental processes, or in response to damage or injury. The corpus callosum is a thick fiber bundle connecting the cerebral hemispheres, facilitating communication and the sharing of information between them. Factors that promote plasticity in the corpus callosum include the creation of new synapses, pruning of unused synapses, changes in glial cells, neurogenesis, and the impact of hormones and environmental factors such as chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS).
Physical activity and exercise are known to have beneficial effects on the brain and promote neuroplasticity, leading to increased neuron growth, heightened neurological activity, improved cognitive function, and enhanced memory. Steroid hormones also have been found to induce dendritic plasticity, particularly in the hippocampus, which is involved in memory and learning. For instance, variations in estrogen have been associated with changes in dendritic structures within the hippocampus, affecting a variety of behaviors.
Rearrangement of connections between neurons, including those in the corpus callosum, helps to accommodate the dynamic aspects of memory and learning, suggesting that plasticity is more than just changes in synaptic or dendritic structures but also involves large-scale neural rewiring to support cognitive functions. Therefore, factors such as exercise, hormonal changes, and environmental stresses all contribute to the plasticity of the corpus callosum.