The adaptive system: plasticity and recovery

Question 1

Neuroplasticity: neurobiological guidelines

Answer 1

> Injury to the motor cortex, as in stroke, induces functional changes in the cortical tissue spared by the injury.

> Acquisition of skilled mvmt induces predictable fx changes within the motor cortex. The two events interact so that, following cortical injury, acquisition of motor skill influences the type and growth of fx plasticity that occurs in the undamaged cortex.

> Neural organization and motor skill learning are optimized when the focus is on tasks that are engaging, challenging and meaningful.

> Many repetitions are required for an individual to become skilled in a complex motor task.

> Repetition of mvmts that are too easy or of a non-meaningful task is insufficient to produce long-term neural reorganization.