Background
It is generally accepted that upper motor neuron (UMN) lesion can alter lower motor neuron (LMN) functionby the plasticity of neural circuit. However there have been only few researches regarding the axonal excitability of LMNafter UMN injury especially during the acute stage. The aim of this study was to investigate the nerve excitability propertiesof the LMNs following an acute to subacute supratentorial corticospinal tract lesion. Methods: An automated nerve excitabilitytest (NET) using the threshold tracking technique was utilized to measure multiple excitability indices in median motoraxons of 15 stroke patients and 20 controls. Testing of both paretic and non-paretic side was repeated twice, during theacute stage and subacute stage. The protocols calculated the strength-duration time constant from the duration?릀harge curve,parameters of threshold electrotonus (TE), the current-threshold relationship from sequential sub-threshold current, and therecovery cycle from sequential supra-threshold stimulation. Results: On the paretic side, compared with the control group,significant decline of superexcitablity and increase in the relative refractory period were observed during the subacute stageof stroke. Additionally, despite the absence of statistical significance, a mildly collapsing in (

Neurorehabilitation focuses on the maximal functional recovery of the patients suffered from various neurologic diseases. Comprehensive, functional, and interdisciplinary team approaches are essential and necessary to accomplish this goal. The most important theoretical basis of neurorehabilitation is the plasticity of brain. Even the mammalian CNS does have a considerable ability to readjust to functional loss. Two main form of plasticity are as follows. The first is sprouting, in which axon terminals form new branches and form connection with vacant synaptic sites. The second is the functional unmasking of the silent synapses that exist within the CNS. The local reorganization and remodelling is a feature of many parts of the brain throughout life, and the ability to constantly remodel connections is a vital part of the processes of plasticity and learning. Recently, the neural plasticity associated with rehabilitation and learning is increasingly being studied using functional neuroimaging methods such as positron emmission tomography(PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI). Researches identified intra- and interhemispheric reorganization of neural networks accompanied with functional recovery and rehabilitation after brain injury. Early timed referral of the patients to comprehensive rehabilitation team would be very helpful to promote successful functional recovery by maximizing the plasticity of brain.