AUTHOR=Alia Claudia , Spalletti Cristina , Lai Stefano , Panarese Alessandro , Lamola Giuseppe , Bertolucci Federica , Vallone Fabio , Di Garbo Angelo , Chisari Carmelo , Micera Silvestro , Caleo Matteo TITLE=Neuroplastic Changes Following Brain Ischemia and their Contribution to Stroke Recovery: Novel Approaches in Neurorehabilitation JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience VOLUME=11 YEAR=2017 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fncel.2017.00076 DOI=10.3389/fncel.2017.00076 ISSN=1662-5102 ABSTRACT=

Ischemic damage to the brain triggers substantial reorganization of spared areas and pathways, which is associated with limited, spontaneous restoration of function. A better understanding of this plastic remodeling is crucial to develop more effective strategies for stroke rehabilitation. In this review article, we discuss advances in the comprehension of post-stroke network reorganization in patients and animal models. We first focus on rodent studies that have shed light on the mechanisms underlying neuronal remodeling in the perilesional area and contralesional hemisphere after motor cortex infarcts. Analysis of electrophysiological data has demonstrated brain-wide alterations in functional connectivity in both hemispheres, well beyond the infarcted area. We then illustrate the potential use of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques to boost recovery. We finally discuss rehabilitative protocols based on robotic devices as a tool to promote endogenous plasticity and functional restoration.