Abstract
Neural plasticity as defined in this contribution is the capability of the nervous system to adapt to a changing internal or external environment, to previous experience, or to trauma. It is becoming increasingly clear that the nervous system is not a static, but rather a dynamic network of cells allowing adaptive changes at all levels of complexity. These can be studied at the molecular, morphological, neurophysiological, and behavioral level. Neural plasticity is an essential and central feature of adaptation. Nervous system plasticity is of great significance in relation to a number of important health-related problems, such as peripheral nerve, spinal cord, and brain injury, developmental disorders, learning disabilities, and dementia. Profound insight into the mechanism of neural plasticity is a prerequisite for advances in the therapy of these pathologies (Gelijns et al. 1987).
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Gispen, W.H., Schuurman, T., Trabe, J. (1988). Nimodipine and Neural Plasticity in the Peripheral Nervous System of Adult and Aged Rats. In: Morad, M., Nayler, W.G., Kazda, S., Schramm, M. (eds) The Calcium Channel: Structure, Function and Implications. Bayer AG Centenary Symposium. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-73914-9_39
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-73914-9_39
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