Cortical Plasticity Underlying Perceptual, Motor, and Cognitive Skill Development: Implications for Neurorehabilitation

Merzenich, Michael M.; Wright, Beverly A.; Jenkins, W.K.; Xerri, Christian; Byl, Nancy N.; Miller, Steven P.; Tallal, Paula

doi:10.1002/9780470753507.ch16

Cited by 32 publications

(42 citation statements)

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“…Although the exact consequences of plasticity on cortical development or recovery from injury are not clear, numerous studies suggest that environmental enrichment may be useful in promoting recovery from neurological disability (Baranek 2002;Biernaskie and Corbett 2001;Jones and Schallert 1994;Klinke et al 1999;Merzenich et al 1996;Nudo and Friel 1999;Risedal et al 2002).…”

Section: Remaining Questionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental Enrichment Improves Response Strength, Threshold, Selectivity, and Latency of Auditory Cortex Neurons

Percaccio¹,

Pandya²,

Moucha³

et al. 2004

Journal of Neurophysiology

176

131

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Environmental enrichment improves response strength, threshold, selectivity, and latency of auditory cortex neurons. J Neurophysiol 92: 73-82, 2004. First published March 10, 2004 10.1152/jn.00059. 2004. Over the last 50 yr, environmental enrichment has been shown to generate more than a dozen changes in brain anatomy. The consequences of these physical changes on information processing have not been well studied. In this study, rats were housed in enriched or standard conditions either prior to or after reaching sexual maturity. Evoked potentials from awake rats and extracellular recordings from anesthetized rats were used to document responses of auditory cortex neurons. This report details several significant, new findings about the influence of housing conditions on the responses of rat auditory cortex neurons. First, enrichment dramatically increases the strength of auditory cortex responses. Tone-evoked potentials of enriched rats, for example, were more than twice the amplitude of rats raised in standard laboratory conditions. Second, cortical responses of both young and adult animals benefit from exposure to an enriched environment and are degraded by exposure to an impoverished environment. Third, housing condition resulted in rapid remodeling of cortical responses in Ͻ2 wk. Fourth, recordings made under anesthesia indicate that enrichment increases the number of neurons activated by any sound. This finding shows that the evoked potential plasticity documented in awake rats was not due to differences in behavioral state. Finally, enrichment made primary auditory cortex (A1) neurons more sensitive to quiet sounds, more selective for tone frequency, and altered their response latencies. These experiments provide the first evidence of physiologic changes in auditory cortex processing resulting from generalized environmental enrichment.

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Section: Remaining Questionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental Enrichment Improves Response Strength, Threshold, Selectivity, and Latency of Auditory Cortex Neurons

Percaccio¹,

Pandya²,

Moucha³

et al. 2004

Journal of Neurophysiology

176

131

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…In her 1976 Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lecture, Joy Huss outlined the significance of touch as a therapeutic intervention. Neuroscience evidence supports the premise that the sensory receptors in the fingers generate action potentials that communicate to multiple neural networks and specific neurons in the cerebral cortex that correspond with the hand and face (Bangert & Schlaug, 2006;Kaas, 1991Kaas, , 1997Kaas, , 2004bKaas, , 2005Merzenich & Jenkins, 1993;Merzenich et al, 1996;Obretenova, Halko, Plow, Pascual-Leone, & Merabet, 2010). There is also strong evidence that continuous and long-lasting participation in tactile or sensorimotor skills with the hands results in substantial changes (expansion) in the corresponding regions (maps) of the cortex (Burton, Sinclair, & McLaren, 2004;Recanzone, Merzenich, & Dinse, 1992).…”

mentioning

confidence: 82%

“…Two researchers in particular, Jon Kaas (2004aKaas ( , 2004bKaas ( , 2004cKaas ( , 2005 and Michael Merzenich (1984Merzenich ( , 1993Merzenich ( , 1996, have conducted neuroscience studies that show that stimulation of the sensory receptors in the hand, either through passively applied stimulation or through the voluntary manipulation of objects, enlarges the boundaries of the neuronal assembles in the cortex. In one study, Merzenich and Jenkins (1993) found that if a digit is amputated in adult monkeys, the cortical sensory representation to that digit is taken over by the adjacent digits within two months.…”

Section: Contributions Of Neurosciencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is important for OT practitioners to recognize that when the hands are engaged in meaningful and functional tasks, the brain can reroute signals that form new neural connections that are directly related to mechanisms of neuroplasticity of the somatosensory cortex (Kaas, 1991;Marangon, Jacobs, & Frey, 2011;Martin, Jacobs, & Frey, 2011;Xerri et al, 1998) Other studies have shown that cortical reorganization or neuroplasticity takes place even when the extremities are amputated or when peripheral nerves are severely damaged (Hlustík et al, 2001;Kaas, 2004aKaas, , 2004bKaas, , 2004cKaas, , 2005Merzenich & Jenkins, 1993;Merzenich et al 1983;Merzenich et al, 1984;Merzenich et al 1996;Nudo, 2007;Rhamachandran & Hirstein, 1998).…”

Section: Implications For Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The synaptic connections between neurons in the cortex are changing all of the time, which means the brain is very malleable. This is particularly apparent in the boundaries of the postcentral gyrus or the somatosensory cortex in response to stimulation of the hand (Kaas, 2004;Marangon et al, 2011;Merzenich et al, 1996;Whitall et al, 2011). In addition, the pathways between the thalamus and the cortex are extremely neuroplastic (Bruno & Simons, 2002) and have been shown to undergo considerable reorganization after peripheral sensation is lost in the hand (Ramachandran & Hirstein, 1998).…”

Section: Implications For Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The Significance of Somatosensory Stimulation to the Hand: Implications for Occupational Therapy Practice

McCormack¹

2014

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

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The hands contain numerous nerve endings that are intimately connected to the brain. Mounting evidence supports the concept that willful manipulation of objects contributes to expansion or reorganization of the somatosensory cortex and can produce therapeutic outcomes. In the past decade, research has demonstrated that cortical plasticity can continue throughout adulthood. Brain plasticity is a core principle that demonstrates the ability of the central nervous system to respond to stimuli and modify its structural organization and function as an adaptive response. Occupation-based interventions, which engage the use of the hands, are conceived in this article as a "mindbody" experience because of the vast potential for perceptual learning and neurologic reorganization. Many types of neuroplasticity have been identified, but "activity-dependent neuroplasticity" is an essential concept for occupational therapy practice. In addition, the concept of "cross-modal plasticity" will also be delineated with regard to implications to clinical practice. Guidelines for tactile or somatosensory stimulation will be derived from a systematic review of the neuroscience literature.

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Cognitive Training for Adults With Bothersome Tinnitus

Kallogjeri

Piccirillo

Spitznagel

et al. 2017

JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg

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Cortical Plasticity Underlying Perceptual, Motor, and Cognitive Skill Development: Implications for Neurorehabilitation

Cited by 32 publications

References 0 publications

Environmental Enrichment Improves Response Strength, Threshold, Selectivity, and Latency of Auditory Cortex Neurons

Environmental Enrichment Improves Response Strength, Threshold, Selectivity, and Latency of Auditory Cortex Neurons

The Significance of Somatosensory Stimulation to the Hand: Implications for Occupational Therapy Practice

Cognitive Training for Adults With Bothersome Tinnitus

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