[New knowledge of brain repair]

Injury to the brain and spinal cord has long been considered particularly refractory to recovery because of the distinct lack of regenerative capacity in the central nervous system. In recent years, however, new knowledge has been gained about what limits this capacity, and increasing evidence has indicated that the potential for regrowth and functional reorganization is much greater than previously deduced.

This review presents historical background and a selection of recent studies that illustrate some of the emerging principles and the outlook for future clinical developments.

Two potential restitutive mechanisms have been identified in the adult brain that open new horizons for the clinical promotion of brain repair. These art the presence of proliferative neural stem cells and the capacity for cortical reorganization within and across functional modalities.