My Neuroplasticity
What is ‘neuroplasticity’? And how can I get some? What is the relationship between my neuroplasticity and stroke?
First of all, you need to learn about neurons to make the connection between your neuroplasticity and stroke. A neuron “is an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information to other neurons through electrical and chemical signals. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electricity)(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_%28biology%29) These signals between neurons occur via synapses, specialized connections with other cells. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synapse). Neurons can connect to each other to form neural networks (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_neural_network).”
Neuroplasticity is a process of your brain that forms new neural pathways when you try new things like learning to ride a bike for the first time. The process controls the platforms to move your new pathways to your basal ganglia, hippocampus and motor system. It’s done with electrical & chemical signals that flow through your neurons’ dendrites’ tentacle support-system.
Your motor system is a neural network in your brain that allows movement. It connects with neural networks in the spine, which in turn connect with neural networks in muscles. Stroke often damages neural networks in the motor cortex resulting in hemiplegia or paralysis. The damage to the neural networks prevents the connections between the motor cortex and your spine’s neurons, then your spine’s neurons can’t get to your hand’s neurons which control your muscles and ligaments that allow arm and hand extension (opening) and flexion (closing).
Now, you have little or no control over your affected hand.
It’s cut off from your control by the dying neurons in the motor cortex. The “pathways” aren’t getting to your motor system in the brain, but you can connect some distant neurons to do what your dead neurons once did, you can regenerate “numb” neurons. You can learn “new” skills or old skills with new neural pathways. Neuroplasticity of the brain!
When I had my stroke I could not walk or talk for several years. Even with the out patient physical therapy I had. That’s why I began to design my AlonTree products. As soon as I had a useable prototype I began to improve with my devices. Of course, it takes a long time and a lot of hard work to exercise my body and my brain (About 24/7). Now at year seven I can walk talk, dance, drive, sing! It has taken all of my years, past and present to succeed. Almost anyone with the right equipment, the will to use it and hard work can use neuroplasticity to recover more fully from brain injury.