Manipulation of central nervous system plasticity: a new dimension in the care of neurologically impaired patients.
Research in the neurosciences in recent decades has shown that the central nervous system is not a structurally static organ as was believed previously, but instead is a dynamic system that constantly undergoes structural and functional reorganization. The term brain plasticity refers to the constant cellular and intercellular modifications that occur during normal development and after neurologic injury and result in changes in neurologic function. The discovery that central nervous system plasticity after injury can be directed toward functional improvement with use of specific modalities has opened up a new dimension in the care of the neurologically impaired patient, termed restorative neurology.
Drubach
Daniel A
DA
Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minn 55905, USA. drubach.daniel@mayo.edu
Makley
Michael
M
Dodd
Maryellen L
ML
D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D004777:Environment; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects; D020127:Recovery of Function