Lesion-induced plasticity as a potential mechanism for recovery and rehabilitative training

Brain lesions not only cause a functional deficit in the lesion area, but also affect the structurally intact brain network connected to the lesion. In brain areas surrounding the lesion, as well as those remote from it, the structural and functional plasticity of the brain is increased because of an alteration of transmitter receptor expression and membrane properties of neurones. Within the penumbra of brain ischaemia, as well as after trauma, an additional perilesional dysfunctional zone is found that contributes to the neurological deficit. The lesion-induced plasticity can be used for adaptation, which also may restore function in the perilesional zone, if adequate rehabilitative training is performed.