Adult plasticity and cortical reorganization after peripheral lesions

Following loss of input due to peripheral lesions, functional reorganization occurs in the deprived cortical region in adults. Over a period of hours to months, cells in the lesion projection zone (LPZ) begin to respond to novel stimuli. This reorganization is mediated by two processes: a reduction of inhibition in a gradient throughout the cortex and input remapping via sprouting of axonal arbors from cortical regions spatially adjacent to the LPZ, and strengthening of pre-existing subthreshold inputs. Together these inputs facilitate receptive field remapping of cells in the LPZ. Recent experiments have revealed time courses and potential interactions of the mechanisms associated with functional reorganization, suggesting that large scale reorganization in the adult may utilize plasticity mechanisms prominent during development.