Author: Møller, Aage R.

Source: Neurological Research, Volume 31, Number 10, December 2009 , pp. 1023-1030(8)

Publisher: Maney Publishing

Abstract:

Objective: The aim of this paper is to review the effects of activation of neural plasticity and present hypotheses using a systems approach about how activation of neural plasticity can cause symptoms and signs of disease (plasticity diseases).

Methods: Literature review.

Results: It is hypothesized that a program that is initiated by internal or external events controls plastic changes in specific structures of the CNS. Not all structures that have abnormal activity are pathologic but some behave pathological because they receive abnormal input from pathologic structures. The changes in function may remain after the events that elicited the expression of neural plasticity no longer exist.

Conclusion: Activation of neural plasticity can have beneficial effects and it can cause symptoms and signs of disease. Activation of neural plasticity can help to adapt to changing demands and it is necessary for normal childhood development of the central nervous system. Plastic changes can cause signs and symptoms of disease by abnormal neural activity in pathologic structures and in structures that receive input from pathologic structures. It is hypothesized that a program controls the plastic changes and that failure in activation of neural plasticity can cause developmental disorders such as autism.

Keywords: PAIN; TINNITUS; PLASTICITY DISEASES; DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/174313209X383303

Affiliations: School of Behavioral and Brains Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA

Publication date: 2009-12-01

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