Author : Michael M. Patterson
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 1461514371
Total Pages : 328 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (615 download)
Book Synopsis Spinal Cord Plasticity by : Michael M. Patterson
Download or read book Spinal Cord Plasticity written by Michael M. Patterson and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2011-06-28 with total page 328 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The area of spinal cord plasticity has become a very actively researched field. The spinal cord has long been known to organize reflex patterns and serve as the major transmission pathway for sensory and motor nerve impulses. However, the role of the spinal cord in information processing and in experience driven alterations is generally not recognized. With recent advances in neural recording techniques, behavioral technologies and neural tracing and imaging methods has come the ability to better assess the role of the spinal cord in behavioral control and alteration. The discoveries in recent years have been revolutionary. Alterations due to nociceptive inputs, simple learning paradigms and repetitive inputs have now been documented and their mechanisms are being elucidated. These findings have important clinical implications. The development of pathological pain after a spinal cord injury likely depends on the sensitization of neurons within the spinal cord. The capacity of the spinal cord to change as a function of experience, and adapt to new environmental relations, also affects the recovery locomotive function after a spinal cord injury. Mechanisms within the spinal cord can support stepping and the capacity for this behavior depends on behavioral training. By taking advantage of the plasticity inherent within the spinal cord, rehabilitative procedures may foster the recovery of function.