plasticity

• P- A further and compelling argument against localisation of function is the notion of cortical remapping or plasticity
• E- when the brain has become damaged, say through illness or accident, and a particular function has been comprised or lost, the rest of the brain appears able to reorganise itself in attempt to recover the lost function
• E- Lashley described this as the law of equipotentiality whereby surviving brain circuits 'chip in' so the same neurological action can be achieved
• L- Although this does not happen every time, there are several documented cases of stroke victims being able to recover those abilities that were seemingly lost as a result of the illness