Role of Neuroplasticity in neurorehabilitation

Neuroplasticity or Brain plasticity is  defined as the ability of the nervous system to change its activity in response to intrinsic or extrinsic  stimuli by reorganizing its structure, functions, or connections in response to new experiences. Stroke represents a major cause of death and disability. In just the last two decades, science has begun to appreciate the central nervous system's attempts to repair itself through a process termed neuroplasticity. The remodeling is a dynamic process subject to endogenous and exogenous forces. Rehabilitation has started to implement approaches based on objective measures such as diffusion tensor imaging and functional magnetic resonance. It was believed that the brain stopped developing after the first few years of life. Because of this belief, It was thought that if a particular area of the adult brain damaged, the nerve cells could not form new connections or regenerate, and the functions controlled by that area of the brain would be permanently lost. Human brain is considered to be a highly dynamic and constantly reorganizing  system  capable  of  being  shaped  and  reshaped  across  an  entire  lifespan.  It is believed  that every experience alters  the  brain’s  organization at some level. Neuroplasticity refers to the lifelong  capacity  of  the  brain  to  change  and  rewire  itself  in  response to thestimulation of learning and experience. During the process  of aging the rate of change in the brain or neuroplasticity declines but does not come to a halt. The more we practice and repeat each movement over and over, the new  neural  connections  (new pathways) in our brain get stronger and stronger. Changes in the brain can occur due to variety of stimulus. Promising therapies task specific exercise training, motor learning,  NDT,  PNF,  Constraint  Induced  movement therapy, Biofeedback and neuro-rehabilitation are all based on  our current understanding of brain plasticity. Recent advances in rehabilitation techniques have produced better functional outcomes in age-related neurological  conditions. Neuroplasticity has important implications for physiotherapeutic clinical interventions that will improve health after conditions like stroke or traumatic brain injury.