Training-Induced Neural Plasticity and Strength Are Amplified After Stroke

Following stroke, sensorimotor brain networks and descending regulation are compromised but spinal interlimb neural connections remain morphologically intact. After cross-education strength and locomotion training, amplified neural plasticity and functional responses are observed in chronic stroke compared with neurologically intact participants. We hypothesize that poststroke neuroplasticity is amplified because of the involvement of interlimb neural connections that persist from our quadrupedal ancestry.