Providing your location allows us to show you nearby locations and doctors.

Neurology and Neurosurgery

How neuroplasticity helps the brain recover from a stroke

Blank puzzle with the missing piece being held next to the whole with a red placer where the last piece belongs. Concept for problem solving, like how the brain can rewire itself after a stroke.

07/10/2025

Find out how the brain can rewire and recover from neurological conditions like a stroke.

By Paul Wright, MD, Senior Vice President and System Chair of the Nuvance Health Neuroscience Institute, part of Northwell Health

When you’re recovering from a stroke or traumatic brain injury, it’s normal to wonder what healing might look like and whether you can get back to doing the things you love. One encouraging answer lies in a fascinating neuroscience concept: neuroplasticity.

What is neuroplasticity? In simple terms, it’s your brain’s ability to adapt and change — even after injury. And it’s one of the most hopeful reasons why recovery from a neurological condition is possible.

Let’s walk through what brain plasticity means, how it supports stroke recovery and what you can do to help your brain heal.

Learn more about stroke care at the Nuvance Health Neuroscience Institute.

What is neuroplasticity?

Neuroplasticity, also called brain plasticity, is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. These connections can help different parts of the brain take over functions from damaged areas.

There are two main types of neuroplasticity:

Functional neuroplasticity: When the brain shifts functions from a damaged area to an undamaged one.

Structural neuroplasticity: When the brain physically changes its structure by forming new neurons and pathways.

So, what is neuroplasticity in neurology recovery? It’s the cornerstone of healing. After a stroke or injury, it’s how the brain figures out new ways to do old things — like walking, talking or even remembering a name.

The process of brain rewiring after a stroke

After a stroke, your brain doesn’t give up. It gets to work.

Here’s how the brain recovers from a stroke:

Early days (acute phase): Inflammation and swelling begin to resolve, and the brain starts to stabilize.

Subacute phase (weeks to months): This is a critical window. The brain is highly receptive to change, and with the right therapy, it begins rewiring itself.

Chronic phase (months to years): Recovery continues more slowly, but progress is still possible — especially with consistent practice.

But how does neuroplasticity rewire the brain exactly? It happens when you repeatedly try to do a task — like moving your hand or speaking a word. Repetition strengthens the new pathways your brain is building. Over time, these new connections can take over where old ones were lost.

Factors that affect brain rewiring

Not every brain heals the same way. Several factors can influence how well your brain adapts after a stroke or traumatic brain injury. Understanding these can help you or a loved one set realistic goals — and stay hopeful about recovery.

Here’s how different factors impact brain recovery from stroke through neuroplasticity:

Age

While neuroplasticity occurs at every age, it tends to be more robust in younger brains. That’s because younger brains have more flexible and active networks, which makes rewiring easier.

That said, older adults can still experience meaningful recovery — especially when therapy starts early and continues consistently. The key is repetition and engagement, no matter your age.

Overall health and chronic conditions

Conditions like diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure can slow down the brain’s recovery by affecting blood flow and oxygen delivery. The healthier your body, the more efficiently your brain can heal.

Managing these conditions alongside stroke recovery is important — not just for general health but because they directly affect neuroplasticity.

Size and location of the stroke or injury

A small stroke in a non-critical area of the brain may allow for a quicker or more complete recovery. On the other hand, a large stroke or one that affects speech, movement or memory centers may take longer to rewire.

But even in these cases, the brain often surprises us. With the right support and therapy, functional neuroplasticity may help healthy brain areas take over lost functions.

As a neurologist specializing in neurovascular conditions, I see incredible recoveries from ischemic strokes. Ischemic strokes are the most common type and happen when a clot blocks blood flow to the brain. With quick intervention, neurosurgeons can remove the clot through a mechanical thrombectomy and restore blood flow to the brain. With advanced treatments and the brain’s ability to adapt to changes, many people can live healthy, active lives after a stroke.

Learn more about mechanical thrombectomy for stroke.

Timing of rehabilitation after a stroke

Starting therapy sooner rather than later after a neurological injury can make a big difference. There’s a window of time — often the first three to six months after injury — when the brain is especially primed for change.

This doesn’t mean recovery isn’t possible later, but early, consistent rehab gives the brain a head start on forming new pathways.

Emotional and mental health after a stroke

Depression, anxiety or low motivation are common after a stroke or other traumatic brain injury. These conditions can understandably make it harder to stay engaged in therapy, which affects outcomes. But emotional health is also part of recovery — because the brain heals better when the whole person is supported.

This is where encouragement, community and support systems really make a difference.

Engagement in therapy and lifestyle after a stroke

The more actively involved someone is in their rehabilitation — mentally and physically — the better the results tend to be. Think of neuroplasticity like building a muscle: The more you work at it, the stronger those brain connections get.

Regular neuroplasticity exercises, healthy sleep, good nutrition and staying mentally stimulated all help create an environment where the brain can thrive.

Therapies to improve neuroplasticity

There’s no magic pill for brain health — but there are science-backed ways to encourage neuroplasticity.

Physical therapy: Moving your body with purpose helps retrain motor functions. Even small, repetitive motions can build stronger neural pathways.

Cognitive rehabilitation: These therapies target memory, attention and problem-solving, such as puzzles or memory exercises.

Neuroplasticity exercises and games: Apps, video games and tabletop activities designed for stroke recovery can make practice more fun and effective. Look for ones that challenge both the mind and body.

Emerging technologies: Innovations like virtual reality, robotic-assisted therapy and brain-computer interfaces are opening new doors in stroke recovery research.

The key to all of these? Repetition and consistency. The more you practice, the more your brain adapts.

The role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)

One of the most exciting areas of research in neuroplasticity is a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

BDNF supports the survival of existing brain cells and encourages the growth of new ones. It plays a big role in learning, memory and neuroplasticity.

How to naturally increase your BDNF levels

Exercise regularly: Aerobic activity, like walking briskly, is especially effective, so you get blood pumping to the brain.

Get good sleep: Most healthy adults should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night.

Eat a brain-healthy diet with omega-3s, antioxidants and less processed food.

Watch a video about the best and worst foods for your brain.

Challenge your brain with new activities: Brain games, like crossword puzzles, and learning a new skill, like playing a musical instrument, can help your brain develop new neural pathways and improve its neuroplasticity.

These lifestyle choices don’t just help your body — they fuel your brain’s ability to recover.

Challenges and considerations in neuroplasticity

It’s important to acknowledge that neuroplasticity isn’t the same for everyone.

Some people see dramatic improvements. Others face a longer, harder road. Recovery outcomes vary based on many factors — like the severity of the brain injury and how soon therapy begins. This is the main reason stroke is a medical emergency — “time is brain,” meaning, the longer you go untreated, the greater chance of permanent damage.

Watch a video about “time is brain” when it comes to stroke.

Also, neuroplasticity has limits. Not all functions can be regained fully, and the brain may not always reroute certain kinds of damage.

But the possibility of improvement — even years after a stroke — is very real. And with support and persistence, many people continue to make progress.

The bottom line: Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to adapt, and it’s at the heart of healing after a stroke or neurological injury. While recovery may not look the same for everyone, engaging in consistent therapy, exercise and brain-stimulating activities can support your brain’s natural rewiring process.