Not long ago, most scientists believed the brain became “hard-wired” during childhood, and that there was little you could do to improve its function once you entered adulthood. Not anymore. The scientific community now accepts that the brain retains its plasticity—the ability to rewire itself for better function—throughout life. This website is dedicated to educating the public about the brain and cognition, how (and why) the brain can change during the course of life, and what you can do to sharpen your brain.