Every year, 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke. Approximately five million die while five million are left permanently disabled. Disability may include loss of speech, paralysis and confusion. There are few evidence-based therapies available that support rehabilitation of stroke patients. Clinical and experimental studies strongly suggest that it is possible to stimulate lost brain functions by enhancing brain plasticity processes, i.e. by remodelling neuronal connectivity and synaptic activity in brain tissue that remains after a stroke. We study the mechanisms and pharmacology of brain plasticity during stroke recovery, with a translational research approach. The research is conducted in rodent models of stroke and in human brain tissue. The aim of our research is to develop a pharmacological therapy that enhances recovery of lost brain functions after stroke, from discovery of molecules to clinical implementation.