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Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: thedoc on 18/09/2014 16:40:29

Title: How does limb amputation affect the brain?
Post by: thedoc on 18/09/2014 16:40:29
Individuals with missing hands, the brain area responsible for the absent hand learns to control the remaining hand or the residual limb...
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Title: Re: How does limb amputation affect the brain?
Post by: ClarkeBenson on 06/12/2013 06:06:50
Limb amputation has a deep affect on the brain. Not only does the person has to get used to his missing limbs but sometimes the severed nerves cause phantom pains where the hand should be. that is also very distressing.
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Title: Re: How does limb amputation affect the brain?
Post by: cheryl j on 06/12/2013 17:28:43
The brain doesn't seem to like unclaimed real estate, and after a limb is severed it eventually uses the area of the brain that used to control that arm for something else. Patients with phantom limb pain or itchiness can sometimes find relief by scratching or massaging the limb that is mapped next to that area -scratching the face to relieve an itch in the phantom arm.