Neural plasticity is the basis for an adaptation process of functional and structural characteristics of the nervous system in response to a changing environment. However, changes during training in healthy volunteers are only partially comparable to that observed in patients with circumscribed lesions. Pathologies can even be associated with maladaptive plasticity. We first introduce basic processes underlying brain plasticity with respect to the sensorimotor system and outline their limitations. A number of methods showing potential in the evaluation of these processes are compared before literature on postlesional plasticity is reviewed. Approaches in monitoring plasticity processes of the healthy sensorimotor system are partially applicable after brain damage and for the documentation of recovery processes. Some of these techniques can further be used for outcome prediction or therapy selection and optimization. Extreme examples from athletes or professional musicians illustrate the amount of plastic changes the human brain can achieve. Profound understanding of neural plasticity in health and disease will help to modify and individually optimize therapy strategies in neurorehabilitation.

神经可塑性是适应环境变化而适应神经系统功能和结构特征的过程的基础。但是，在健康志愿者中进行的训练过程中的变化仅部分与具有外接病变的患者所观察到的变化相当。病理甚至可能与适应不良的可塑性有关。我们首先介绍有关感觉运动系统的大脑可塑性的基本过程，并概述它们的局限性。在回顾有关病后可塑性的文献之前，先比较了许多显示出评估这些过程潜力的方法。监测健康的感觉运动系统可塑性过程的方法部分适用于脑损伤后以及恢复过程的记录。这些技术中的一些可以进一步用于结果预测或治疗选择和优化。来自运动员或专业音乐家的极端例子说明了人脑可以实现的塑性变化。对健康和疾病中神经可塑性的深刻理解将有助于修改和单独优化神经康复中的治疗策略。