Understanding how the brain changes and learns is fundamental to understanding rehabilitation and the mechanisms that underlie all behavioral interventions. This entry provides a broad overview of neuroplasticity and how it relates to normal learning and learning after brain injury.

What Is Neuroplasticity?

The human adult cerebral neural system was once thought to be unyielding and incapable of regeneration and large-scale change. In the last 15–20 years, the extraordinary potential for neuronal plasticity in the human central nervous system has been recognized. The term neuroplasticity has gathered increased attention in the literature as scientists use new technologies to measure a natural phenomenon that has been happening since the evolution of humankind. Neuroplasticity is simply the brain’s ability to learn and adapt, to wire and rewire neuronal ...

  • Loading...
locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles