In view of the knowledge about the brain derived from the neurosciences, this finding is not surprising. Interestingly, around the turn of the twentieth century, increasing attention was paid to anatomical correlates of intelligence through necropsy studies of the brains of outstanding persons.
Neuronal plasticity can appear after suitable rehabilitation, but is also reported spontaneously.
Although it is preponderantly seen early in life after prenatal, neonatal or childhood brain damage, reorganization and plastic functional brain changes can be observed in adulthood as well. In two PET studies possible alterations of the brain following a spinal cord injury were evaluated. In the first, by Roelcke et al. The absolute global glucose utilisation was significantly reduced in the patients, and the relative glucose utilisation in the supplementary motor area, the anterior cingulate and the putamen was increased. A relative reduction in the glucose metabolism was observed in the mid-brain, the cerebellum and the temporal lobe.