![]() ![]() There is little reason to believe, however, that other brain structures will not be changed in similar ways. In addition, the discussion will be biased towards plasticity in cerebral structures because most of what we know about modulation of brain development is based upon studies of cerebral development. Because most of what we know about brain plasticity and behaviour in development comes from studies of the laboratory rat our discussion will focus on the rat but will consider humans when possible. We begin with an overview of brain development, followed by a brief review of principles of brain plasticity and finally a consideration of how factors influence brain development and adult behaviour. The goal of the current article is to review the ways the developing brain can be sculpted by a wide range of pre- and postnatal factors. Brains exposed to different environmental events such as sensory stimuli, drugs, diet, hormones, or stress thus may develop in very different ways. ![]() The development of the brain reflects more than the simple unfolding of a genetic blueprint but rather reflects a complex dance of genetic and experiential factors that shape the emerging brain. ![]()
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