Recovery recapitulates ontogeny

Several studies support the hypothesis that after stroke, specific features of brain function revert to those seen at an early stage of development, w ith the subsequent process of recovery recapitulating ontogeny in many ways . Many clinical characteristics of stroke recovery resemble normal developm ent, particularly in the motor system. Consistent with this, brain-mapping studies after an ischemic insult: suggest re-emergence of childhood organiz ational patterns: recovery being associated with a return to adult patterns . Experimental animal studies demonstrate increased levels of developmental proteins, particularly in the area surrounding an infarct, suggesting an a ctive process of reconditioning in response to cerebral ischemia. Understan ding the patterns of similarity between normal development and stroke recov ery might be of value in its treatment.