Do you know every second millions of neural connections are being formed inside a baby’s brain? When a baby is born approximately 25% of a baby’s Brain is already developed inside a mother’s womb during the prenatal stage. From birth to 2 years, 25% brain growth goes up till 75%. Now isn’t it amazing to see such a huge jump in such a short time. Today we will read about an amazing concept i.e Synaptic Pruning.

It has been estimated that there are around  86 billion neurons in the brain; to reach this huge target. Each neuron is connected to another 1,000 neurons, creating an incredibly complex network of communication. Neurons are considered the basic units of the nervous system.

During the initial 2 years neural connections and synapses are forming at a very very Rapid pace and a lot of information is being stored inside of them. 

When your baby will be about 2 years old, they will  have far more neurons and synapses than they will ever need. Synaptic pruning is a natural process in which the brain removes extra synapses. This promotes a healthy and adaptable brain.

In this blog we will cover-

1. What is Synaptic pruning
2. What happens in synaptic pruning 
3. What is the Process of synaptic pruning?
4. What can be done to help pruning strengthen the necessary abilities right? 

According to a research paper– Published -2020 Jun 24. By Jill Sakai-

Synaptic pruning is an important process that refines and optimises neural circuits during brain development. Initially, the brain creates an excess of synaptic connections, which are then selectively removed to improve efficiency and adaptability. This process is triggered by neural activity and involves both neural and immune system mechanisms, such as microglia and complement proteins. Pruning errors can cause neurological disorders like schizophrenia and autism, in which either too much or too little pruning disrupts normal brain function. 

Let us see the Process of Synaptic Pruning

Age

Synaptic pruning typically begins when a baby is around two years old. By the age of ten, a Child’s brain will have removed nearly half of the synapses that existed at two years old.

What happens During Synaptic Pruning

Synaptic pruning is considered to be the brain’s mechanism for removing connections that are no longer needed. Researchers discovered that the brain is “plastic” Synaptic pruning is our body’s mechanism for maintaining more efficient brain function as we age and learn new complex information.

The brain determines which synapses to reinforce and which to retain based on the amount and timing of neural activity.

The brain also considers the amount and timing of neural activity to determine which synapses weaken. It then flags these synapses, which the brain destroys. 

How does Brain Prunes

Formation of Synapses

During early development, the brain creates an abundance of synaptic connections. This initial phase ensures that the brain has the ability to form diverse neural networks.

Activity-Dependent Refinement

As the brain develops, synaptic activity determines which connections are strengthened and which are weakened. Synapses that are often engaged and functionally significant are reinforced, whereas less active or redundant connections are marked for deletion.

Tagging for Elimination

Synapses that are less active or judged superfluous are marked for trimming. This tagging can include chemical signals such as complement proteins, which label synapses for destruction.

Microglia the brain’s resident immune cells, play an important role in the pruning process. They are attracted to synapses that have been identified for elimination. Microglia destroy synapses through a variety of processes, including engulfment and trogocytosis.

Synapse Elimination

Once the synapses are targeted by microglia, they either swallow and digest them or remove them. This procedure lowers the amount of synaptic connections while also fine-tuning the brain circuitry.

So can we see so much happening inside our little ones to make them more efficient. 

Now you must be thinking what can be done to help pruning strengthen the necessary abilities right? 

During the first year of life, the number of synapses in the brain of an infant grows more than tenfold. By age 2 or 3, an infant has about 15,000 synapses per neuron.

Stimulation

Right Stimulation

You need to engage your child in activities that are challenging but achievable. This helps reinforce the neural pathways associated with those skills.

Encourage Diverse Experiences

Introduce your baby to a variety of activities—physical, cognitive, and social. This can help them develop a well-rounded set of abilities, allowing the brain to prune connections that are less frequently used while strengthening those that are.

Consistent Practice

Repetition and Consistency

Regular practice of specific skills helps strengthen the relevant neural pathways. Whether it’s language, motor skills, or problem-solving, consistent practice is key. Activity should be introduced with consistency. Consistent efforts will allow the brain to think that this is going to be helpful and the ability associated with the same will strengthen. 

Build Routines

You can build daily routines around key activities (e.g., reading, playing, exploring). Doing so will ensure the amount and timing of neural activity to be high so that during pruning this is not getting lost. 

Ensure Adequate Sleep

Ensure your baby sleeps well. Sleep is crucial for brain development. During sleep, the brain processes experiences and strengthens or prunes neural connections.

So parents, Do you see now?

Synaptic pruning is a natural process of refining neural connections that ensures that the brain can adapt and function optimally as your child grows. By providing the right stimulation, consistent practice, diverse experiences, and ensuring adequate sleep, you can support this pruning process, helping to strengthen the necessary abilities and lay a strong foundation for your child’s future learning and development.

As parents and caregivers, your role is to create an environment that nurtures this incredible process, helping our little ones grow into healthy, capable, and resilient individuals. Remember, every moment you spend engaging with your child is an opportunity to shape their brain in positive and lasting ways.

Explore UpTodd to unleash hidden abilities of the baby.