Cortical Reorganization after Limb Loss: Bridging the Gap between Basic Science and Clinical Recovery

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1051-23.2023
• Publication Date: 2024-01-10T05:32:09Z
• Authors: Tawnee Sparling; Laxmi Iyer; Paul Pasquina; Emily Petrus
• Keywords: Limb loss; Phantom pain; Sensory loss; Motor Learning

Despite the increasing incidence and prevalence of amputation across globe, individuals with acquired limb loss continue to struggle functional recovery chronic pain. A more complete understanding motor sensory remodeling peripheral central nervous system that occurs postamputation may help advance clinical interventions improve quality life for loss. The purpose this article is first provide background context on then a comprehensive review known neural adaptations from both animal models human trials. Finally, bridges gap between basic science researchers clinicians treat by explaining how current treatments restore function modulate phantom pain using underlying described above. This should encourage further development novel neurological targets postamputation. Significance Statement In United States, 1.6 million people live loss; number expected than double 2050. Improved surgical procedures enhance recovery, new prosthetics interfaces can replace missing limbs those communicate bidirectionally brain. These advances have been fairly successful, but still most patients experience persistent problems like pain, others discontinue prostheses instead learning use them daily. problematic patient outcomes be due in part lack consensus among regarding plasticity mechanisms occur brain after injuries. Here we results model studies bridge clinicalbasic gap.