Is it possible to restore function with two percent surviving neural tissue?
How much surviving normal neural tissue is required for functional reorganization after a lesion? Clinical and experimental studies suggest that at little as two percent remaining tissue may be sufficient, at least in some cases, for functional reorganization. Recent sensory substitution studies with persons who have been diagnosed with total vestibular loss (e.g., due to an ototoxic reaction to an antibiotic) suggest that the persisting function after removal of the substitution system may be related to the survival of a small amount of vestibular tissue.
Bach-Y-Rita
Paul
P
Departments of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Medicine, and of Biomedical Engineering, 1300 University Avenue, Room 2756, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA. pbachyri@wisc.edu
D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*