Neural Stimulation and Molecular Mechanisms of Plasticity and Regeneration: A Review

Neural stimulation affects neurons by changing their electrical state, which then triggers activity-associated mechanisms of neuronal plasticity. These mechanisms are crucial for how adult neurons are structured and function. Our knowledge of how neurons behave, how active they are, and their surroundings is growing quickly. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is key for activity-associated plasticity, and immediate early genes (IEGs) help neurons adapt after activity. New research has found genetic ways to control DNA expression after neural activity changes, like RNAPII pause-release and activity-associated double-stranded breaks (DSBs). Finding these new ways to control activity-associated plasticity shows that neuronal responses to electrical changes are controlled in a complex, layered way. The patterns of these electrical changes affect how genes are expressed and how molecules respond. More research is needed to understand how different neurons respond to activity patterns.

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  Patterns of depolarization in neurons are shown to be important mediators of genetic expression patterns and molecular responses.
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  Physical rehabilitation modulates neurotrophic factor expression in the brain and spinal cord and can initiate cortical plasticity commensurate with functional recovery.
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  Electrical and magnetic stimulation direct specific activity patterns not accessible through passive or active exercise and work synergistically to improve function after injury.