Residual function in motor cortex contralateral to amputated hand.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate residual function of the motor cortex corresponding to the hand of the amputated arm (MCamp).


METHODS
Focal transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of MCamp was performed in 10 patients 22 to 52 years after arm amputation to inhibit tonic muscle contraction in the intact hand ipsilateral to cortex stimulation.


RESULTS
In all patients, onset latency, degree, and duration of this inhibition were normal.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of motor inhibition in the residual hand of amputees originating from the hand motor representation of MCamp indicates residual cortical motor representation of the lost hand irrespective of whether the effect is mediated by commissural or ipsilateral corticospinal connections.
Röricht
S
S
Department of Neurology, Charité, Humboldt-University, Berlin, Germany.
Meyer
B U
BU
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D001931:Brain Mapping; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*