Synaptic pruning

Synaptic pruning is the process in which synaptic connections and circuits that are used frequently are strengthened, while unused ones are pruned out. Much of the growth of the human brain occurs after birth, and In the early stages of life, the infant’s brain has many more neurons and connections than necessary—billions of neurons in excess of what will eventually be required. This overgrown, chaotic synaptic tangle needs to be trimmed to shape the brain into an organ that can govern action, thought, learning, and relationships and carry out its myriad other tasks—and to coordinate them all in our best interests. Which connections survive depends largely on input from the environment. Both neurons and neural connections compete to survive and grow. Experience causes some neurons and synapses (and not others) to survive and grow.

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