About this Research Topic
Endogenous neuroplasticity can be defined as anatomical, neurochemical, and/or physiological changes in the central nervous system (CNS) in response to appropriate exogenous pharmacological, electrical, surgical, and/or rehabilitative neuromodulation. Harnessing neuroplasticity following neurological disorders and injuries is an essential mechanism for restoring functional attributes. Work documenting the brain’s plastic ability is more extensive than the one pertaining to the spinal cord. Nevertheless, growing evidence points to the remarkable ability of spinal networks to change and adapt in response to exogenous interventions. Compelling findings obtained within the last decade indicate that the spinal circuitries can be one of the major targets of neuromodulation, and have a functional potential that far exceeds what was previously thought possible.
This Research Topic welcomes original and review articles, as well as opinion pieces, focused on the effects and mechanisms of neuroplasticity revealed in the course of rehabilitation studies using spinal neuromodulation, aimed to restore motor and autonomic functions following CNS damage, such as spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, stroke, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, etc. From preclinical models and pilot clinical studies, we have learned that neuroplasticity can promote functional recovery by inducing morphological, biochemical, and neuronal connectivity changes in the CNS. However, we still have a lack of understanding of the type and characteristics of interventions and the dose-response effects, to promote a given function. In addition, we have limited knowledge on the extent to which motor and autonomic functions can be restored and when/if the restored function can become independent of the applied intervention. Finally, the approaches to quantify neuroplasticity on supraspinal and spinal levels of the neuroaxis are yet to be optimized and standardized.
This topic aims to present neuroplasticity’s role in optimizing motor function following CNS damage. We are interested in manuscripts that are focused on:
• Neuroplastic changes in the healthy and injured CNS (animal model/translational/clinical) following exogenous interventions;
• Neuroplastic changes early or late post-injury, including the developmental and aging timeframe;
• Spinal neuromodulation affecting neuroplasticity, including but not limited to activity-based rehabilitation, electrical and pharmacological modalities, lifestyle factors and genetics;
• Objective measurement of neuroplastic changes, including but not limited to imaging and electrophysiological biomarkers, and their correlation with regained functions.
This Research Topic welcomes original and review articles, as well as opinion pieces, focused on the effects and mechanisms of neuroplasticity revealed in the course of rehabilitation studies using spinal neuromodulation, aimed to restore motor and autonomic functions following CNS damage, such as spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, stroke, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, etc. From preclinical models and pilot clinical studies, we have learned that neuroplasticity can promote functional recovery by inducing morphological, biochemical, and neuronal connectivity changes in the CNS. However, we still have a lack of understanding of the type and characteristics of interventions and the dose-response effects, to promote a given function. In addition, we have limited knowledge on the extent to which motor and autonomic functions can be restored and when/if the restored function can become independent of the applied intervention. Finally, the approaches to quantify neuroplasticity on supraspinal and spinal levels of the neuroaxis are yet to be optimized and standardized.
This topic aims to present neuroplasticity’s role in optimizing motor function following CNS damage. We are interested in manuscripts that are focused on:
• Neuroplastic changes in the healthy and injured CNS (animal model/translational/clinical) following exogenous interventions;
• Neuroplastic changes early or late post-injury, including the developmental and aging timeframe;
• Spinal neuromodulation affecting neuroplasticity, including but not limited to activity-based rehabilitation, electrical and pharmacological modalities, lifestyle factors and genetics;
• Objective measurement of neuroplastic changes, including but not limited to imaging and electrophysiological biomarkers, and their correlation with regained functions.
Keywords: Neuroplasticity, Neuromodulation, Rehabilitation, Functional Recovery, Central Nervous System
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
