Neural Plasticity and Its Contribution to Functional Recovery

Overview

Journal Handb Clin Neurol

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Neurology

Date 2013 Jan 15

PMID 23312626

Citations 37

Authors

Nikhil Sharma

Joseph Classen

Leonardo G Cohen

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

In this chapter we address the phenomena of neural plasticity, operationally defined as the ability of the central nervous system to adapt in response to changes in the environment or lesions. At the cellular level, we discuss basic changes in membrane excitability, synaptic plasticity as well as structural changes in dendritic and axonal anatomy that support behavioral expressions of plasticity and functional recovery. We consider the different levels at which these changes can occur and possible links with modification of cognitive strategies, recruitment of new/different neural networks, or changes in strength of such connections or specific brain areas in charge of carrying out a particular task (i.e., movement, language, vision, hearing). The study of neuroplasticity has wide-reaching implications for understanding reorganization of action and cognition in the healthy and lesioned brain.

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