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Lower limb amputees undergo long-distance plasticity in sensorimotor functional connectivity
Ivanei E Bramati1,2, Erika C Rodrigues1,3, Elington L Simões4
1D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, 22281-100, Brazil.
Scientific Reports
|February 23, 2019
Summary
Brain plasticity after lower limb amputation alters sensorimotor networks. Reduced inter-hemispheric connectivity and increased intra-hemispheric connectivity occur even without phantom limb pain.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuroplasticity
- Somatosensory System
Background:
- Adult amputation causes significant cortical remapping in sensorimotor areas.
- Understanding brain changes in amputees without pain is crucial for plasticity research.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate functional connectivity in the sensorimotor network of lower limb amputees.
- Examine brain plasticity in individuals with phantom limb sensation but no pain.
Main Methods:
- Tactile residual limb stimulation.
- 3T functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
- Analysis of sensorimotor network connectivity in long-term amputees.
Main Results:
- Reduced inter-hemispheric functional connectivity between homologous sensorimotor regions (S1, S2, M1, M2).
- Increased intra-hemispheric functional connectivity within somatosensory and motor areas contralateral to amputation.
- Observed changes in individuals with phantom limb sensation but no pain.
Conclusions:
- Traumatic amputation disrupts sensorimotor network organization, even without pain.
- Neural disinhibition following amputation alters brain topology.
- Phantom sensations can occur without pain, indicating plasticity independent of pain signaling.
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