Paradoxical functional facilitation in brain-behaviour research. A critical review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Neurobiology

Background:

• Research often overlooks findings where nervous system damage enhances behavior.
• Paradoxical functional facilitation (PFF) describes situations where neural damage improves function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document and analyze research on PFF effects.
• To explore the mechanisms and theoretical implications of PFF.
• To highlight the significance of PFF in brain-behavior research.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on PFF.
• Categorization of PFF into restorative and enhancing effects.
• Analysis of underlying neural mechanisms such as inhibition and plasticity.

Main Results:

• Two types of PFF identified: restorative (e.g., Sprague effect) and enhancing.
• PFF observed across various domains: memory, sensory perception, and language.
• PFF highlights the roles of inhibition and compensatory plasticity in brain function.

Conclusions:

• PFF findings challenge traditional views of brain damage.
• Mechanisms like inhibition and compensatory plasticity are crucial for understanding PFF.
• PFF paradigms offer a powerful tool for validating brain-behavior models.