Animal models of damage, repair, and plasticity in the brain

Recovery after a stroke is a multidimensional process depending on the individual deficit. Within each functional domain, spontaneous recovery occurs to a variable degree and can be improved by specific neurorehabilitative interventions. Basic knowledge about to the mechanisms of spontaneous and training-induced recovery is growing but translation to effective therapies has only been demonstrated in a few cases. Mechanistic knowledge is necessary to find new treatments that can fully exploit the brain’s capacity for recovery. Animal models can be an experimental platform to investigate these mechanisms. But it has to be realized that they oversimplify the human condition. The complexity of the interaction of motor, cognitive, social, emotional, and other factors contributing to recovery in humans cannot be modelled in animals. The opportunities and caveats of animal models are discussed.