Final answer:
During developmental plasticity, changes include the creation and pruning of synapses, adjustments in glial cells, and neurogenesis. Synaptic strength is modified by long-term potentiation and depression in the hippocampus. These processes underlie learning and memory, and can be influenced by experiences, exercise, medications, and stress.
Step-by-step explanation:
Neuronal Changes During Developmental Plasticity
Developmental plasticity involves changes in the brain's structure and functionality as a response to experiences, learning, or injury. One significant aspect is the creation of new synapses and the pruning of inactive ones. Additionally, changes in glial cells and neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons, can occur. Structural plasticity is exemplified by synaptic strength modifications through long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), both crucial for learning and memory, particularly in the hippocampus.
Homeostatic plasticity refers to adjustments a neuron makes to its intrinsic excitability, often through synaptic scaling to maintain a stable network function. Importantly, the adult hippocampus continues to exhibit neurogenesis, which plays a role in learning and how well individuals perform on new tasks. Certain activities like exercise and some antidepressants can promote neurogenesis, whereas stress tends to inhibit this growth.
Understanding the dynamic nature of developmental plasticity not only gives insight into learning and memory but also opens up potential interventions for neural disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and epilepsy.