We study how the brain changes when we learn, as we get older, or when we recover damage such as stroke. We use brain imaging to monitor brain change and we aim to develop new approaches to facilitate learning, recovery and healthy brain development and ageing.
PlasticityDefinition: the adaptability of an organism to changes in its environment.
Our brains adapt whenever we learn a new skill, such as juggling. Our brains also adapt as we get older, or following damage such as stroke. Changes in our lifestyle, like taking up exercise, can also affect our brains. Understanding how the brain adapts to change can help us to design new rehabilitation treatments, to promote healthy ageing, or to enhance learning.
The Plasticity Group, lead by Heidi Johansen-Berg, is a multidisciplinary research group using advanced brain imaging techniques to monitor brain change. We also use training programmes, brain stimulation and neurofeedback to try to influence brain change. Find out more about our research projects via the link below.
The Plasticity Group is part of the Neuroplastics collaborative network, which also includes the Physiological Neuroimaging Group headed by Charlotte Stagg and the Action, Cognition & Neurotherapeutics Group headed by Jacinta O'Shea. The three groups work together on research projects as well as public outreach activities.
Sleep and Rehabilitation After Stroke
Sleep often changes after stroke, and has been linked to rehabilitation outcomes. The plasticity group are running a range of research studies to investigate this further.
Read moreFind out more
Video and audio links
Watch talks and listen to interviews with Plasticity researchers
Press
Press coverage of Plasticity Group research