Training-induced structural changes in the adult human brain.

Full Abstract

Structural and functional brain reorganisation can occur beyond the developmental maturation period and this was recently recognised as an intrinsic property of the human central nervous system. Brain injury or altered afferent input due to environmental changes, novel experience and learning new skills are known as modulators of brain function and underlying neuroanatomic circuitry. During the past decade invasive animal studies and in vivo imaging techniques have delineated the correlates of experience dependent reorganisation. The major future challenge is to understand the behavioural consequences and cellular mechanisms underlying training-induced neuroanatomic plasticity in order to adapt treatment strategies for patients with brain injury or neurodegenerative disorders.

Author information

Author/s: Draganski, B (B); May, A (A);

Affiliation: Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, NHNN Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: Behavioural brain research (Behav Brain Res), published in Netherlands. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Sep; vol 192 (issue 1) : pp 137-42

Dates: Created 2008/06/06; Completed 2008/09/24;

PMID: 18378330, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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