Role of adaptive plasticity in recovery of function after damage to motor cortex

Based upon neurophysiologic, neuroanatomic, and neuroimaging studies conducted over the past two decades, the cerebral cortex can now be viewed as functionally and structurally dynamic. More specifically, the functional topography of the motor cortex (commonly called the motor homunculus or motor ma...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Muscle & nerve 2001-08, Vol.24 (8), p.1000-1019
Main Authors: Nudo, Randolph J., Plautz, Erik J., Frost, Shawn B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Physiological
Amphetamine - therapeutic use
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Brain Injuries - drug therapy
Brain Injuries - pathology
Brain Injuries - physiopathology
Brain Mapping
Humans
Learning
Long-Term Potentiation
Medical sciences
motor cortex
Motor Cortex - injuries
Motor Cortex - pathology
Motor Cortex - physiopathology
Nervous system involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous
Neurology
Neuronal Plasticity
Neurotransmitter Agents - metabolism
physical therapy
plasticity
Recovery of Function - drug effects
rehabilitation
stroke
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Summary:Based upon neurophysiologic, neuroanatomic, and neuroimaging studies conducted over the past two decades, the cerebral cortex can now be viewed as functionally and structurally dynamic. More specifically, the functional topography of the motor cortex (commonly called the motor homunculus or motor map), can be modified by a variety of experimental manipulations, including peripheral or central injury, electrical stimulation, pharmacologic treatment, and behavioral experience. The specific types of behavioral experiences that induce long‐term plasticity in motor maps appear to be limited to those that entail the development of new motor skills. Moreover, recent evidence demonstrates that functional alterations in motor cortex organization are accompanied by changes in dendritic and synaptic structure, as well as alterations in the regulation of cortical neurotransmitter systems. These findings have strong clinical relevance as it has recently been shown that after injury to the motor cortex, as might occur in stroke, post‐injury behavioral experience may play an adaptive role in modifying the functional organization of the remaining, intact cortical tissue. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 24: 1000–1019, 2001
ISSN:0148-639X
1097-4598
DOI:10.1002/mus.1104