This article is part of a series on Noninvasive Brain stimulation, edited by Dr Edwards.

Review

Plasticity in neurological disorders and challenges for noninvasive brain stimulation (NBS)

Gary W Thickbroom and Frank L Mastaglia

Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia

author email corresponding author email

Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation 2009, 6:4doi:10.1186/1743-0003-6-4

Published:	17 February 2009

Abstract

There has been considerable interest in trialing NBS in a range of neurological conditions, and in parallel the range of NBS techniques available continues to expand. Underpinning this is the idea that NBS modulates neuroplasticity and that plasticity is an important contributor to functional recovery after brain injury and to the pathophysiology of neurological disorders. However while the evidence for neuroplasticity and its varied mechanisms is strong, the relationship to functional outcome is less clear and the clinical indications remain to be determined. To be maximally effective, the application of NBS techniques will need to be refined to take into account the diversity of neurological symptoms, the fundamental differences between acute, longstanding and chronic progressive disease processes, and the differential part played by functional and dysfunctional plasticity in diseases of the brain and spinal cord.