Functional plasticity refers to the brain's ability to adapt and reorganize itself in response to changes in the environment or after injury. This means that if one part of the brain is damaged, other areas can take over the functions that were lost. This adaptability is crucial for recovery from brain injuries and can also occur during learning and development.
This phenomenon is particularly important in areas such as neurorehabilitation, where therapies aim to enhance recovery by promoting the brain's natural ability to rewire itself. Factors like age, experience, and the type of injury can influence the extent of functional plasticity, making it a key area of study in neuroscience.