Neural Imaging Shows How Human Brain Adapts to Injury

Scientists at Carnegie Mellon University’s Center for Cognitive Brain Imaging (CCBI) have used a new combination of neural imaging methods to find out how the human brain adapts to injury. The research reveals that when one brain area loses functionality, a “back-up” team of secondary brain areas immediately activates — this replaces not only the unavailable area, but its confederates. Study results appear in Cerebral Cortex.

“The human brain has a remarkable ability to adapt to various types of trauma, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stroke, making it possible for people to continue functioning after key brain areas have been damaged,” says Marcel Just, the D.O. Hebb Professor of Psychology at CMU and CCBI director. “It is now clear how the brain can naturally rebound from injuries and gives us indications of how individuals can train their brains to be prepared for easier recovery. The secret is to develop alternative thinking styles, the way a switch-hitter develops alternative batting styles. Then, if a muscle in one arm is injured, they can use the batting style that relies more on the uninjured arm.” For more information, click here to read the full article