Scientists in the US have uncovered a surprising potential treatment for strokes: short-term sensory deprivation. Strokes occur when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted; this destroys the affected nerve cells, and robs the victim of the function of the affected brain area. But it is possible to achieve some degree of recovery by encouraging other, adjacent healthy parts of the brain to rewire themselves and take over from the damaged area. Working with mice, Washington University neurologist Jin-Moo Lee has found that this can be promoted by temporarily depriving a patch of brain... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists