neurofuncional

Neurofuncional (often rendered as neurofunctional in English) is a term used to describe the functional aspects of the nervous system, emphasizing how neural activity supports perception, movement, cognition, and behavior rather than focusing solely on brain structure. It encompasses the study of functional organization, network connectivity, and the dynamic interactions that enable complex tasks.

In practice, neurofunctional approaches seek to map which brain regions and networks are engaged during specific functions, how these networks collaborate, and how they adapt in health, injury, or disease. The concept is used across neuroscience, neurology, rehabilitation, and related fields to understand normal brain function and its plastic changes over time.

Applications include research into functional reorganization after injury, clinical assessment of motor, language, and cognitive impairments, and the development of interventions and technologies aimed at restoring function. Examples include task-oriented rehabilitation programs, noninvasive brain stimulation, and brain–computer interfaces. Neurofunctional evaluation often combines methods such as electrophysiology (EEG/MEG), functional imaging (fMRI/PET), and neuropsychological testing to identify preserved and impaired functions and guide treatment.

Terminology varies by language and context, with neurofuncional used in some Spanish-speaking settings and neurofunctional or functional neuroscience more common in English-language literature. The field intersects with cognitive neuroscience, neuropsychology, and rehabilitation sciences, and relies on concepts such as functional connectivity, neural circuits, and neuroplasticity. Limitations include interindividual variability and the challenge of inferring specific cognitive processes from neural activity.