Figure 1.

Schematic overview of the “3 step model”—as a possible roadmap for designing future rehabilitation schedules: (1) determination of the metabolic and plastic status of the brain by using state- of the art imaging technologies (image taken by the Akashi Municipal Hospital, Japan) and biomarker profiles in the blood and CSF; (2) enhancement of intrinsic repair and plasticity mechanisms in the ispi- and contralesional hemisphere as well as the spinal cord by application of growth and plasticity-promoting factors such as anti-Nogo-A antibody or Chondroitinase ABC; and (3) selection and stabilization of newly formed functional connections and pruning of non-functional ones by rehabilitative training.