**3.4 A new proposal in defining neuroplasticity**

As said before, neuroplasticity is one of the most intriguing, and yet not fully known mechanisms that occur within the nervous system. It has been said that neuroplasticity consists of changes in a morphological, biochemical, and pharmacological adaptation in neuronal networks. The main objective of this physiological process is the adaptative response of the brain to diverse stimuli. Moreover, neuroplasticity and its physiology are fundamental concepts when approaching the pathophysiology of several neurologic illnesses, based on the ideas proposed by de Olveira in 2020 [15]. Understanding neuroplasticity as a process that relates directly to behavioral patterns and pharmacology, so as the interaction of these fields with pathology.

As a contribution to this field, it is being proposed to define neuroplasticity as a temporal and active mechanism related to neurogenesis and nervous cell apoptosis, starting in the neurulation, and finished until the subject's death, having characteristics of neurochemical and morphological changes that can be altered by other substances and environmental factors. This definition is based upon neurobioethics in order to understand this phenomenon not just at a basic and scientific level but comprehending these neural occurrences in a medical and anthropological way.

It will be described how neuroplasticity is related to memory formation, forgetfulness, and the differentiation between a physiological and pathological operation (**Figure 1**).

#### **Figure 1.**

*This graphic represents the relationship between memory and forgetfulness, involved in all the process, the neuroplasticity. This is evident from the formation of the nervous system in neurulation and continues through the time to the moment of the subject's death. Also, the presence of neurological illness modifies both functions. \* = sporadic diseases during lifetime.*
