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Related Experiment Videos

Persistent hand motor commands in the amputees' brain.

Karen T Reilly1, Catherine Mercier, Marc H Schieber

  • 1Institut des Sciences Cognitives, Bron, France.

Brain : a Journal of Neurology
|June 27, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Phantom limb movements in amputees show specific muscle activity patterns, suggesting preserved hand motor commands. This indicates the brain can still control a missing limb, even after amputation.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Rehabilitation Medicine
  • Motor Control

Background:

  • Limb loss often results in phantom limb sensations, including the feeling of movement.
  • Amputees can differentiate phantom movements at various joint levels.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if phantom limb movements correlate with specific stump muscle activity.
  • To explore the neural basis of phantom limb movement perception and control.

Main Methods:

  • Recorded electromyography (EMG) activity in stump muscles of above-elbow amputees during voluntary phantom limb movements.
  • Measured EMG activity during phantom movements under conditions of paralysis and ischemic nerve block.

Main Results:

  • Specific stump muscle activity patterns were observed during phantom hand movements, distinct from proximal limb movements.

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  • Failed phantom movement attempts and nerve blocks altered EMG patterns, supporting the role of motor commands.

    • Conclusions:

    • Phantom limb movement experience involves the activation of preserved hand motor commands.
    • Motor representations of the missing limb can re-direct activity in remaining muscles post-amputation.