CSRS Neuroplasticity & Motor Recovery

Question 1

What is neuroplasticity in the context of stroke rehabilitation?

Accepted Answer

The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections after injury

Answer

The process of replacing dead neurons with entirely new cells

Answer

The reduction of cerebral inflammation following an ischemic event

Answer

The natural, spontaneous restoration of cognitive function over time

Question 2

Which principle, often summarized as 'neurons that fire together, wire together,' describes synaptic strengthening through co-activation?

Accepted Answer

Hebbian plasticity

Answer

Cortical remapping

Answer

Long-term depression

Answer

Diaschisis

Question 3

What is the 'critical period' or 'sensitive period' in stroke recovery?

Accepted Answer

The early weeks to months post-stroke when the brain is most responsive to rehabilitation and neuroplastic changes

Answer

The 24-hour window during which thrombolytic therapy is administered

Answer

The period after discharge when home exercise compliance is highest

Answer

The timeframe during which surgical decompression is indicated

Question 4

Which cellular mechanism involves the persistent strengthening of synaptic transmission following repeated high-frequency stimulation?

Accepted Answer

Long-term potentiation (LTP)

Answer

Axonal sprouting

Answer

Synaptogenesis

Answer

Retrograde signaling

Question 5

What does the 'use it or lose it' principle of neuroplasticity imply for stroke rehabilitation?

Accepted Answer

Neural circuits that are not regularly activated will weaken and deteriorate over time

Answer

Assistive devices that are not used daily will lose mechanical function

Answer

Patients who avoid exercise will permanently lose muscle mass

Answer

Rehabilitation programs must be completed without scheduled rest periods

Question 6

What is cortical remapping in the context of stroke recovery?

Accepted Answer

Adjacent or homologous cortical areas assuming functions of the stroke-damaged region through neuroplastic reorganization

Answer

Surgical repositioning of viable cortical tissue following hemorrhagic stroke

Answer

Brain imaging used to identify the precise boundaries of the infarct zone

Answer

The generation of entirely new cortical neurons in the perilesional area

Question 7

Which neuroimaging modality is most commonly used to visualize functional reorganization of the brain during stroke rehabilitation?

Accepted Answer

Functional MRI (fMRI)

Answer

CT angiography

Answer

Plain skull radiograph

Answer

Transcranial Doppler ultrasound