“…The highest incidence of stroke occurs in aged individuals and considerable evidence exists demonstrating that aging may alter many physiological and metabolic processes in the nervous system that may play a role in plasticity and cortical reorganization (Badan et al, 2003, 2004; Dinse, 2005; Li and Carmichael, 2006; Li et al, 2005; Popa-Wagner et al, 2006, 2007a, 2007b; Wang et al, 2003). While there are conflicting data in regards to the effects of age on stroke size and the mechanisms of recovery, numerous studies have demonstrated age-related differences in functional recovery and the cytological response to stroke (Badan et al, 2003; Buga et al, 2008; Davis et al, 1995; Nagayama et al, 1999;Popa-Wagner et al, 2006, 2007a, 2007b; Wang et al, 2003).…”