Plasticity of Adult Sensorimotor System

摘要: The central nervous system is a highly plastic structure that can adapt throughout the lifespan of higher mammals to changes in environment. establishment neural connectivity, during embryonic period and early postnatal stages, under genetic epigenetic control. Environmental factors, particular critical period, heavily influence organization brain, both short long term. In 1980s, Kaas, Merzenich, collaborators have reported adult was also capable remarkable reorganization following traumatic lesions (amputation, nerve section, etc.). Since these pioneering works, concept plasticity stirs up growing interest scientific community. Many works been focused on extensive cortical subcortical structures relation individual experience (activity-dependent plasticity). Within sensorimotor system, mechanisms occur spontaneously after an injury, such as stroke or spinal cord injury (injury-induced These sometimes be considered adaptative compensatory, but some cases, they may lead maladaptative process. More recently, it has demonstrated addition training, practicing, use, mere exposure repetitive sensory stimulation, significant behavior processing evoked. patients, one take advantage activity-dependent properties CNS develop efficient therapeutic methods, through direct current/magnetic stimulation. Increasing basic knowledge humans substantially treatment rehabilitation methods used for variety movement disorders. Four contributions this special issue provide overview data field system. They are accompanied by research paper addressing question adaptation prisms. All papers pay attention strategies. The entitled “Left-deviating prism left neglect patient: reflexions negative result” J. Luaute et al. healthy subjects, optical prisms induce experimentally plasticity. Prism patients with spatial neglect, where appears promising intervention rehabilitation. authors demonstrate there directional specificity prisms: not affected leftward shift whereas right-deviating known beneficial effects. raises about conditions necessary produce cognitive after-effects. Very interestingly, shows no effects found absence adaptation, playing against hypothesis active simple modification coordinates visuomanual pointing sufficient reduce neglect. This followed four reviews. contribution A. Sterr B. Conforto “Plasticity severe brain infarcts: challenges opportunities” very integrative Interestingly, highlights execution should from anticipatory processes within areas motor performance strategies consider all aspects. addition, points out use-dependent representations complex process, which modulated various attention, motivation, tiredness fatigue, engagement patient therapy process. The other reviews several levels control: cortical, spinal, corticospinal drive. Although reflexes had thought stereotyped time, now well established reflex characteristics change response operant conditioning task, providing evidence activity-induced cord. consequence, stretch H-reflex extensively studied evaluate mature Tahayori D. M. Koceja “Activity-dependent circuits developing cord” compares development adulthood. childhood, point role input large-diameter primary afferents supraspinal afferents. explains how pathway become permanent presynaptic inhibition afferent fibers. In her review control locomotor training human injury” Knikou provides training. author demonstrates circuitries capacity alter their function cord-injured patients. Rehabilitation protocols capabilities drive interneuronal restoration locomotion injury. An effective requires better somatosensory physiology its cortex (M1) activity. Primary (S1) M1 anatomical functional connections. animals, substantial manipulation S1 activity alters behavior. Jacobs “Plasticity-inducing TMS investigate hand function” showing plasticity-inducing powerful tool modulate physiology, tactile perception, suggest might improve patients. We hope will brought new insights into underlying occurs help elaborate and/or optimize currently available strategies. Marie-Helene Canu Jacques-Olivier Coq Mary F. Barbe Hubert R. Dinse