Related Experiment Videos
Mechanisms underlying human motor system plasticity
B Boroojerdi1, U Ziemann, R Chen
1Human Cortical Physiology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Room 5N 234, 10 Center Drive, MSC 1428, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1428, USA.
Muscle & Nerve
|April 24, 2001
Summary
The adult nervous system exhibits plasticity, allowing reorganization and adaptation. This review explores how the human motor system changes and how these changes can be modulated.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuroplasticity research
- Human motor system studies
Background:
- The adult human nervous system's capacity for lifelong reorganization and adaptation is termed plasticity.
- Plastic changes in the cerebral cortex are studied at the level of cortical maps (body representation) and neuronal/synaptic levels (synaptic efficacy, synapse generation).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review paradigms for studying plasticity mechanisms in the intact human motor system.
- To discuss the functional relevance of neuroplasticity.
- To explore methods for modulating plasticity.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing research paradigms.
- Analysis of studies on the intact human motor system.
- Examination of synaptic and cortical map modifications.
Main Results:
- Identified key paradigms for studying motor system plasticity.
- Highlighted the functional significance of adaptive neural changes.
- Discussed potential strategies for modulating neuroplasticity.
Conclusions:
- Neuroplasticity is a fundamental property of the adult human nervous system.
- Understanding plasticity mechanisms is crucial for therapeutic interventions.
- Modulating plasticity offers potential for rehabilitation and functional recovery.