Mechanisms of functional recovery following motor cortical lesions

The dynamic nature of postlesion recovery occurring after acute unilateral lesions of cortical sensorimotor areas and their descending pathways has been recognized since the turn of the century, but it is only recently that we begin to understand the underlying principal mechanisms. The following questions are dealt with in this essay: 1) What is the role of the hemisphere opposite to the lesion? 2) Is there reorganization within the lesioned hemisphere? 3) What is the contribution of learning new strategies for successful goal achievement? It is concluded that functional restitution is a multi-facetted process, challenging the anatomical potential of plasticity as well as motivational, attentional and learning resources.