title: Harnessing plasticity for the treatment of neurosurgical disorders: an overview.
abstract: Plasticity is fundamental to normal central nervous system function and its response to injury. Understanding this adaptive capacity is central to the development of novel surgical approaches to neurologic disease. These innovative interventions offer the promise of maximizing functional recovery for patients by harnessing targeted plasticity. Developing novel therapies will require the unprecedented integration of neuroscience, bioengineering, molecular biology, and physiology. Such synergistic approaches will create therapeutic options for patients previously outside of the scope of neurosurgery, such as those with permanent disability after traumatic brain injury or stroke. In this review, we synthesize the rapidly evolving field of plasticity and explore ways that neurosurgeons may enhance functional recovery in the future. We conclude that understanding plasticity is fundamental to modern neurosurgical education and practice.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Electronic address: Isaac.Chen@uphs.upenn.edu.
authors: H Isaac
authors: HI
authors: Chen
authors: Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Attiah
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors: Gordon
authors: G
authors: Baltuch
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors: Douglas H
authors: DH
authors: Smith
authors: Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors: Roy H
authors: RH
authors: Hamilton
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Center for Neuroengineering and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors: Timothy H
authors: TH
authors: Lucas
mesh_terms: D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000639:trends; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000639:trends; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000639:trends
keywords: Functional recovery; Network remodeling; Plasticity; Restorative neurosurgery; Stem cells; Stimulation; Tissue engineering