Heid Johansen Berg, Reader in Clinical Neurology, Oxford, described how learning to juggle brought changes in the brain in this episode of You and Yours for BBC R4. Everything else we learn depends on the same neurological processes. It's time we realised this and acted on it.
On the other hand, this slide illustrates the consequences of neglect:
Connections are simply not formed, and with large areas of inactivity. Oprah Winfrey was writing about this as long ago as 2009. From a political perspective, it shows that cultural capital is as physical as monetary capital. As with money, those that have it tend to pass it on to their children. It's not a matter of social class or privilege, but no less damaging to those who don't have any.