Neuroplasticity After Stroke
Original Editor - Lucinda Hampton
Top Contributors - Lucinda hampton, Rahma Ahmed Ahmed Bahbah, Candace Goh and Tolulope Adeniji
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Following a stroke, the healthy areas of the brain around the damaged brain tissue region are able to compensate and develop new functions. This rewiring and reorganizing process is known as neuroplasticity. Brain plasticity can lead to a great degree of spontaneous recovery and rehabilitative (primarily physiotherapy) training has the ability to modify and boost the neuronal plasticity processes.
Reorganization of surviving central nervous system areas supports functional recovery. Examples of this include: interhemispheric lateralization; activity injured zones linking to association cortices; re-organization of cortical representational maps.[1]
Physical Activity And Neuroplasticity[edit | edit source]
Physical activity (PA) can promote neural plasticity.
- PA effects in the peri-infarct site (post stroke): promotes cerebral angiogenesis, vasomotor reactivity, neurotrophic factor release; reduces apoptosis processes, excitotoxicity, and inflammation.
- PA provides neuroprotective effects capable of reducing adverse effects of brain ischemia, with prestroke regular PE decreasing the severity of motor effects.[2]
- A novel approach for stroke therapy combines physical training with pharmacological treatments, known to promote neuroplasticity. [2]
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a key facilitator of neuroplasticity. Evidence suggests that aerobic exercise is an important intervention for improving brain function, these effects are mediated partly by upregulation of BDNF. As such aerobic exercise–induced increases in BDNF help facilitate motor learning-related neuroplasticity for rehabilitation after stroke.[3]
Physiotherapy[edit | edit source]
Physical therapy can positively promote neuroplasticity during rehabilitation, approaches include:
- Constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) for the arm and hand
- Task-oriented physical therapy
- Locomotion rehabilitation (walking)
- Aerobic exercise
- Neurostimulation techniques, both invasive and non-invasive electrical stimulation
- Cognitive training, such as video games
- Learning
- Generation and repetition of novel movements
- Sensory and motor experiences
Sub Heading 3[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
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References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Hara Y. Brain plasticity and rehabilitation in stroke patients. Journal of Nippon Medical School. 2015 Feb 15;82(1):4-13. Available: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jnms/82/1/82_4/_article(accessed 1.1.2023)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Pin-Barre C, Laurin J. Physical exercise as a diagnostic, rehabilitation, and preventive tool: influence on neuroplasticity and motor recovery after stroke. Neural plasticity. 2015 Oct;2015. Available:https://www.hindawi.com/journals/np/2015/608581/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=HDW_MRKT_GBL_SUB_BNGA_PAI_DYNA_JOUR_X_X0000_WileyFlipsBatch2&utm_term=Acta%20Neurologica%20Scandinavica&utm_content=JOUR_X_X0000_WileyFlipsBatch2_ActaNeurologicaScandinavica (accessed 1.1.2023)
- ↑ Mang CS, Campbell KL, Ross CJ, Boyd LA. Promoting neuroplasticity for motor rehabilitation after stroke: considering the effects of aerobic exercise and genetic variation on brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Physical therapy. 2013 Dec 1;93(12):1707-16.Available:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3870490/ (accessed 1.1.2023)
