Neuroplasticity: Adaptive Changes in the Brain

Questions and Answers

The ability of the nervous system to change in response to stimuli

Reorganizing its structure and connections

The ability of the nervous system to change its activity in response to stimuli by reorganizing its structure, functions, or connections

Summarize treatment considerations Signup and view all the answers

Neuronal regeneration Signup and view all the answers

Lack of communication among the healthcare team Signup and view all the answers

Jerzy Konorski Signup and view all the answers

By improving care coordination and treatment outcomes Signup and view all the answers

Creating experience-dependent changes in neuronal connection strength Signup and view all the answers

The following weeks Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Neuroplasticity, also known as neural plasticity or brain plasticity, is a process that involves adaptive structural and functional changes to the brain.
It is defined as the ability of the nervous system to change its activity in response to intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli by reorganizing its structure, functions, or connections after injuries, such as a stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The term "plasticity" in regards to the nervous system was first mentioned by William James in 1890.
The term "neural plasticity" is credited to Jerzy Konorski in 1948 and was popularized by Donald Hebb in 1949.

Synaptic plasticity: the ability to make experience-dependent long-lasting changes in the strength of neuronal connections.
Long-term potentiation (LTP): a form of synaptic plasticity discovered in 1973 by Bliss and Lomo.
LTP is the long-lasting increase in the strength of synaptic transmission between neurons after repetitive stimulation.

First 48 hours: initial damage and cell death, with the loss of certain cortical pathways associated with the lost neurons.
The following weeks: recruitment of support cells and shifting of cortical pathways from inhibitory to excitatory.
Weeks to months afterward: the brain continues to remodel itself via axonal sprouting and further reorganization around the damage.

Neuroplasticity is important for restoration of function after injury, such as stroke or TBI.
It can have beneficial (restoration of function), neutral (no change), or negative (pathological consequences) effects.
The interprofessional team plays a crucial role in enhancing care for patients with stroke by collaborating and communicating effectively.