Neuroplasticity of the brain and recovery after central nervous system damage

Abstract

Neuroplasticity is the central biological mechanism supporting functional recovery after damage to the central nervous system (CNS), including stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and demyelinating disorders. Following injury, the brain and spinal cord undergo multi-level reorganization: synaptic efficacy changes (LTP/LTD), structural remodeling of dendrites and axons, and large-scale network and cortical map reweighting. Recovery is influenced by time-dependent “windows” of heightened plastic potential, especially during the subacute period, when rehabilitation can most effectively shape adaptive rewiring. However, plasticity is not always beneficial; maladaptive changes may contribute to spasticity, chronic pain, compensatory overuse, and learned non-use.