Final answer:
Wide-scale neurophysiological changes in plasticity require neuroplasticity, synaptic plasticity involving LTP and LTD, and homeostatic plasticity for intrinsic excitability adjustments. The brain region hippocampus and pharmacological agents like memantine play significant roles in these processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
For wide-scale neurophysiological changes in plasticity to occur, various factors must be present. One critical aspect is neuroplasticity, which allows for changes and adaptations in the nervous system through mechanisms like the creation of new synapses, pruning of synapses that are no longer used, and changes in glial cells. In particular, synaptic plasticity is key and involves both long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), especially in brain regions like the hippocampus involved in memory storage. Another essential element is homeostatic plasticity, which helps neurons adjust intrinsic excitability through synaptic scaling, affecting ion channel properties. Neuroplasticity is not only a developmental process but can also be a response to injury or damage, indicating that the brain can rewire itself even later in life.
Research indicates that synaptic plasticity is more dynamic than prior theories suggested, playing a crucial role in how the brain integrates new information. Additionally, pharmaceutical agents such as memantine, a partial antagonist of NMDA receptors, have shown efficacy in modulating excitotoxic effects, suggesting the role of pharmacological intervention in plasticity.