[thedoc (OP)]

Martn Kilgore asked the Naked Scientists:
   I had a left pontine ischemic infarct last month. Over the past month I have progressed from a total left hemiplegia to some movement. Hopefully I will continue to improve.

My question is what is the physiological basis for this? I under stand that the upper motor neurons in  my motor tract have been interrupted.

I have heard of "brain plasticity" but I thought that this was all happening in the cortex. How can it be happening down in the pons?

My physician is kindly, but he is a plain vanilla GP. he just shrugs and says he doesn't know. Can the naked scientists shed more light on this phenomenon?
What do you think?

[exothermic]

I had a left pontine ischemic infarct last month. Over the past month I have progressed from a total left hemiplegia to some movement.

My question is what is the physiological basis for this?

Are you referring to the etiology of the brainstem lesion/ischemic infarct, or are you trying to understand the reason for the improvement?