Structural and functional cortical abnormalities after upper limb amputation during childhood.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental neuroscience
• Neuroplasticity

Background:

• Functional reorganization is known in adult brains post-amputation.
• The impact of early-life amputation on the developing brain requires further investigation.

Observation:

• Studied six children with upper limb amputation and one with dysmelia.
• Utilized transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
• Performed T1-weighted MRI to assess structural changes.

Findings:

• TMS revealed contralateral cortical disinhibition and enlarged stump representation.
• fMRI confirmed these plastic changes and showed ipsilateral functional reorganization.
• MRI identified structural deformities in the central sulcus and parietal lobule in some patients.

Implications:

• Childhood arm amputation induces both functional and structural brain changes.
• These alterations occur in both cerebral hemispheres.
• Findings highlight the profound neuroplasticity in the developing brain following limb loss.