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Neural correlates of evoked phantom limb sensations
1Department of Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, D-68159 Mannheim, Germany.
Biological Psychology
|April 27, 2017
Summary
Amputees experiencing nonpainful phantom sensations show altered brain activity in the somatosensory cortex (SI) and intraparietal sulci (IPS). This suggests a functional decoupling between brain regions following limb loss.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
- Somatosensory System
Background:
- Previous research indicated somatosensory cortex (SI) reorganization in amputees with phantom limb pain.
- The neural basis of nonpainful phantom sensations (e.g., cramping, tingling) and limb percepts remains less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cortical changes associated with nonpainful phantom sensations in limb amputees.
- To explore the relationship between phantom sensations and brain activity in the SI and intraparietal sulci (IPS).
Main Methods:
- Utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in a cohort of limb amputees with inducible phantom sensations.
- Employed electrical stimulation of specific body sites to evoke phantom sensations and compared with homologous stimulation in controls.
Main Results:
- Found bilateral activations in SI and IPS correlated with the intensity of evoked phantom sensations.
- Observed distinct intra- and interhemispheric interactions in amputees compared to controls during phantom sensation evocation.
Conclusions:
- Nonpainful phantom sensations in amputees are associated with bilateral SI and IPS activation.
- Phantom sensations may stem from functional decoupling between bilateral SI and IPS, potentially due to post-amputation brain reorganization.
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