One of the things that doctors and other medical professionals have often stated when regarding stroke recovery is that the brain is “rewiring” itself during the recovery process. It’s also something that I have written about on several occasions on this blog.
Well, a new study from a team based out of the University of Cambridge states that this isn’t a good way of describing how the stroke recovery process actually works.
To be clear, doctors typically mean that the brain is learning new pathways of transmitting information when they use the phrase “rewire.” Instead of rewiring, this team believes that the brain is actually tapping into latent abilities that it had previously not been trained to utilize.
Perhaps one of the most relevant examples that the study cited is when a stroke survivor has become paralyzed in a limb, only to regain use of that limb sometime further down the road. The study authors state that this isn’t the brain adapting and creating a new way to transmit information, but rather the brain is tapping into information that is already there.
There’s obviously a lot more research needed in order to truly understand how things like stroke recovery actually occur. There are opposing theories here, and there’s no clear consensus. The good news is that this type of research will only help to improve research into stroke and disability. Regardless of the ‘why’ behind it all, the more we understand about the brain, the better advice and guidance doctors will be able to give their patients. Hopefully, this research can be a launching pad for other researchers in the future.
The team published their findings in the journal, eLife. And while their theory isn’t a commonly held one, there’s a strong chance that there is some very helpful information here that will help future researchers to better understand just how the brain responds to things like stroke, amputations, vision loss or other catastrophic events.
Regardless of what challenges you and your family might be up against, you might find the answer in in-home senior care. That’s what we do here at Paradise In-Home Care. The service that we provide helps support seniors in need in a unique way that other types of care can’t always replicate. In-home care is given in a one-on-one manner, meaning that you (or whoever is receiving care) are getting the help needed in a personalized fashion. Your needs are taken into account, not the needs of many others simultaneously. It allows the caregiver helping out to be more precise in how they help.
We’re here for you. If you would like to learn more about senior care and how it can help those recovering from a stroke or facing another challenge, please get in touch. One of our professional caregivers would be happy to talk more with you, go over your unique situation, and help get you steered in the right direction.
Your family deserves the best care possible. We want to help you get connected to that. Give us a call to get started.
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