Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026
10:22
Fabrication and Characterization of Optical Tissue Phantoms Containing Macrostructure
Published on: February 12, 2018
11.2K
Birth and death of a phantom
Sebastian Dieguez1, Mélanie Kaeser2, Camille Roux2
1Laboratory for cognitive and neurological sciences Department of medicine University and Hospital of Fribourg Fribourg Switzerland.
Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology
|January 30, 2018
Summary
A rare supernumerary phantom limb, an extra limb sensation, occurred in a healthy individual during a brain stimulation-induced seizure. This case offers insights into phantom limb phenomena and sensorimotor processing.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Human physiology
Background:
- Supernumerary phantom limb involves experiencing an additional limb, typically after stroke-related sensorimotor issues.
- The underlying mechanisms of phantom limb phenomena are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a unique case of a transient supernumerary phantom limb in a healthy participant.
- To investigate the visuomotor characteristics and electrophysiological correlates of this unusual event.
Main Methods:
- Continuous Theta-Burst Stimulation (cTBS) applied over the left primary motor cortex.
- Induction of a pure Jacksonian motor seizure.
- Phenomenological observation of the supernumerary phantom limb.
- Electromyography (EMG) recording during the event.
Main Results:
- A short-lasting right upper supernumerary phantom limb with distinct visuomotor features was observed.
- The phantom limb exhibited sudden onset and abrupt disappearance, correlating with EMG activity.
- The event occurred during a cTBS-induced Jacksonian seizure in a healthy individual.
Conclusions:
- This case provides novel insights into the dynamic resolution of conflicting multimodal information in phantom limb generation.
- It suggests that supernumerary phantom limbs can occur in healthy individuals under specific neurological conditions.
- The findings support the hypothesis linking phantom limb phenomena to complex sensorimotor integration processes.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Birth Control Methods
6.9K
Vasectomy is a surgical form of male sterilization that involves severing and sealing the vasa deferentia, preventing sperm from mixing with semen during ejaculation. Because a vasectomy does not impact the testes' ability to produce testosterone, hormone levels, libido, and sexual function generally remain unchanged. While vasectomy is highly effective in preventing pregnancy, with a success rate near 99.85%, rare cases of recanalization (spontaneous reconnection) can occur. Although...
6.9K
01:18Autophagic Cell Death
4.6K
Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
4.6K
01:30Overview of Cell Death
10.3K
Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
10.3K
01:22Imprinting
11.2K
Behavioral imprinting is observed in some newborn animals and occurs when they develop strong and specific attachments to another animal (usually a parent) following brief, early-life exposures. Offspring imprint onto parents within a brief period after birth or hatching; this time window is called the critical period. Once imprinting occurs, the bond established between the parents and their offspring is usually long-lasting.
11.2K
01:27Reproductive Cloning
32.8K
Reproductive cloning is the process of producing a genetically identical copy—a clone—of an entire organism. While clones can be produced by splitting an early embryo—similar to what happens naturally with identical twins—cloning of adult animals is usually done by a process called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT).
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer
In SCNT, an egg cell is taken from an animal and its nucleus is removed, creating an enucleated egg. Then a somatic...
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer
In SCNT, an egg cell is taken from an animal and its nucleus is removed, creating an enucleated egg. Then a somatic...
32.8K
00:50What are Viruses?
128.5K
Overview
128.5K