Rehabilitation following brain damage: some neurophysiological mechanisms. Animal models of recovery with training after central nervous system lesions.
Animal studies revealed that training with techniques of instrumental conditioning produces another phase of functional recovery beyond spontaneous recovery after CNS lesions. Such conditioned behaviour is difficult to transfer to an unconditioned or another conditioned response. Conditioned and unconditioned behaviours are mediated through different pathways and mechanisms. Conditioned behaviour requires less specific pathways and can probably be achieved as long as the basic spinal mechanisms are activated. Other studies showed that reflex recovery can be maximized through non-specific training, probably by protecting the neuromuscular system from deterioration. However, such a programme does not appear to improve the reflexes beyond the level attributable to spontaneous recovery, nor to facilitate the rate of recovery. If the training is specifically directed towards augmentation of a particular reflex, the reflex can be improved beyond that seen with spontaneous recovery but may be exaggerated to a functional disadvantage. These findings have significant clinical implications.
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D000882:Haplorhini; D009068:Movement; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology