Treatment-induced neuroplasticity following focal injury to the motor cortex.

Abstract

The impairment and functional limitation associated with damage to the cerebral motor cortex is often severely disabling and can lead to extensive rehabilitation. Unfortunately, much of this rehabilitation intervention lacks a solid foundation of empirically derived evidence of its efficacy. Moreover, the continuing knowledge explosion in healthcare necessitates the need to stay abreast of ever-changing developments in rehabilitation. This paper introduces the reader to introductory neuroplasticity concepts and outlines the current knowledge on neuroplastic changes in the motor cortex, which are driven by rehabilitation. Furthermore, this paper discusses neuroplasticity concepts that can serve as a theoretical foundation behind treatment intervention.