Contrary to pretty popular belief, specialists think that the previously injured brain cannot completely rewire itself in response to brain injury.
The concept that it can repurpose regions for new functions, such as using the visual cortex for echolocation in people who can't see, is considered flawed.
The brain, instead of creating entirely new functions, is believed to improve or modify existing abilities.
How it was discovered
Studies supporting brain rewiring, like those on amputations or blindness, are challenged by the researchers.
One study suggested that when a finger is amputated, the brain rewires itself to process signals from other neighboring fingers.
However, a new experiment discovered that existing signals were already present before amputation.
The brain's adaptation to injury is seen as a slow learning process rather than a quick, miraculous rewiring.
Why it's important to know
The specialists highlight how important it is to understand the true nature and limits of brain plasticity for realistic expectations in patient treatment.
While stories of blind navigation and stroke recovery are acknowledged, the emphasis is on persistent effort, repetition, and training, not magical brain resource reassignment.
The specialists claim that recognizing the hard work behind recovery stories helps tailor rehabilitation strategies accordingly.
