Pyramidal Neurons – The Building Blocks of Strategic Thinking
- Dec 10, 2024
- 6 min read
Written by Susan Litwiller, Executive NeuroCoach
Susan Litwiller, is an executive coach with over 20 years of experience in leadership development and coaching. Susan specializes in serving the C-suite and helping executives achieve their personal and professional goals.
Our human brain is absolutely amazing. It’s the only organism that uses itself to study itself. The complexities and intricacies of the brain provide an endless amount of research material for both novices and professionals alike.
The brain contains an estimated 86 billion neurons, which serve as the fundamental building blocks of the nervous system and are responsible for transmitting information through electrical and chemical signals, all occurring within milliseconds. These neurons form complex networks that underlie all cognitive and sensory functions, making the brain one of the most intricate and sophisticated organs in the human body. That is quite fascinating to say the least.
Since the brain is a marvel of biological engineering and hosts billions of neurons, how do we begin to map and understand all the individual functions the brain manages over our thoughts and actions? The best way is to identify one type of neuron activity and begin to unravel each level as it pertains to how thoughts are processed. One such type of neuron is the pyramidal neuron. This particular type of neuron stands out for its distinctive structure and pivotal role in brain function.
Pyramidal neurons are essential to how the brain drives higher-order functions like strategic planning and complex thinking. These neurons dominate the cerebral cortex, the brain's hub for decision-making, memory, and information processing. Through advanced imaging, electrical activity recording, and network analysis, scientists study their structure and connections to uncover how the brain integrates information, formulates strategies, and adapts to challenges. These insights are crucial for understanding how we think critically, solve problems, and make decisions—foundational skills for effective leadership, innovation, and long-term planning.
So, how do we bring all the scientific lingo into casual understanding and include some practical applications to have our brains work in our favor? First, though, a quick (yet seemingly complex) overview of what pyramidal neurons are and what they do.
Anatomy and function of pyramidal neurons
Pyramidal neurons are predominantly found in the cerebral cortex (or the Outer layer of the brain), the hippocampus (Memory center or Navigator), and amygdala (Alarm center) which are the regions of our brains implicated in higher cognitive functions and emotional regulation. Their distinct morphology includes a triangular soma (cell body), a single apical (the very tip) dendrite (where a neuron receives input from other cells) that extends towards the cortical (outer layer) surface, and several basal (bottom layer) dendrites that branch out horizontally.
More simplistically stated, they have a triangle-shaped body, with one main branch reaching upward towards the brain's surface and several smaller branches spreading out sideways. This structure allows pyramidal neurons to integrate a vast amount of synaptic input (signal or nerve center) from various sources, making them integral to the processing of complex information.
Functionally, pyramidal neurons are excitatory (speed up response), using glutamate (an amino acid and neurotransmitter that plays a vital role in brain function, learning, memory, and mood regulation) as their primary neurotransmitter. They play a key role in long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), the primary mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity (the ability of synapses to change their strength over time in response to activity levels).
Through these processes, pyramidal neurons are involved in the strengthening or weakening of synapses in response to activity, enabling the storage and retrieval of information in the brain.
Wait. That still sounds sciencey.
In simplistic terms, pyramidal neurons help your brain process information, make decisions, and store memories. They act like messengers, sending signals between different parts of the brain to help you think and remember things.
Can you even imagine how many pyramidal neurons fired in your brain as you read the above process? Again, all occurring within milliseconds.
Neurons at work
Recognizing when pyramidal neurons are at work in your daily activities involves understanding the types of mental processes they support. While you won’t directly “feel” or “see” them working, you can be aware of the brain functions they help with. Here’s how you can recognize their activity indirectly:
When you are learning something new
What to look for: When you’re learning a new skill (like playing a musical instrument, solving a new problem at work, or learning a language), your brain is building and strengthening connections between pyramidal neurons.
Everyday example: When practicing a new routine at the gym or memorizing directions to a place, your brain’s pyramidal neurons are working hard to retain this new information.
Making decisions
What to look for: When faced with choices, especially complex ones that require weighing pros and cons, the decision-making part of your brain, which involves pyramidal neurons, is active.
Everyday example: Deciding whether to save or spend money, choosing the best route to work, or selecting healthy food options requires cognitive processes supported by pyramidal neurons.
Problem-solving and logical thinking
What to look for: Engaging in tasks that require concentration and logical thinking—whether it’s solving a math problem, planning a project, or troubleshooting an issue—utilizes pyramidal neurons.
Everyday example: Fixing a household appliance, organizing your schedule, or figuring out how to manage multiple tasks are all instances where pyramidal neurons help with critical thinking.
Remembering past experiences
What to look for: When you recall specific memories, whether long-term or short-term, pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus are involved in retrieving that information.
Everyday example: Remembering where you left your keys, a conversation from last week, or a childhood memory, is a function of pyramidal neurons.
Emotional regulation
What to look for: Managing your emotional responses in stressful or challenging situations (like staying calm during an argument or staying focused under pressure) involves pyramidal neurons in the brain's prefrontal cortex.
Everyday example: If you remain calm when someone cuts you off in traffic, or if you resist the urge to react negatively to a frustrating situation, your pyramidal neurons are helping regulate emotional responses.
Spatial awareness
What to look for: Navigating familiar environments or recalling how to get somewhere also involves pyramidal neurons in the brain, specifically in the areas responsible for spatial processing.
Everyday example: Finding your way around your neighborhood, remembering the layout of your home, or mentally visualizing how to rearrange furniture.
Our brains process so much information and we simply live each day unaware of its complexities. We don’t consciously “feel” pyramidal neurons firing, but we can certainly feel the effects when they are not making the necessary connections.
Pyramidal neurons and strategic thinking
Pyramidal neurons are the brain’s unsung heroes, orchestrating complex processes that empower strategic thinking. By integrating vast amounts of information and enabling decision-making, they help us adapt to challenges, solve problems, and navigate both opportunities and obstacles. Like flipping a light switch without contemplating the wiring, we often take for granted how these neurons work behind the scenes to automate essential cognitive functions. By understanding and optimizing this neural activity, we unlock our brain's potential for sharper focus, innovative planning, and purposeful action in leadership and daily life.
Susan Litwiller, Executive NeuroCoach
Susan Litwiller, is an executive coach with over 20 years of experience in leadership development and coaching. Susan specializes in serving the C-suite and helping executives achieve their personal and professional goals.
Susan holds an Ed.S degree and an MBA, providing a deep understanding of both education and business. Her dissertation work focused on the impact of employee engagement and structural empowerment on workplace environments. This research provided Susan with a solid ability to gain insights into the drivers of employee motivation and satisfaction. Additionally, as a certified Master NeuroCoach, Susan applies the latest neuroscience research and techniques to help clients achieve their desired outcomes. She helps both individuals and organizations overcome barriers to success and reach their full potential.
As a leadership expert and strategy coach, Susan partners with clients to develop their leadership skills, enhance decision-making abilities, and increase emotional intelligence. Her approach is collaborative, supportive, and results-driven. She has a unique way of weaving brain science with leadership and management principles to create innovative solutions to today’s complex challenges.
