Phantom Limb Syndrome Essay
The complex relationship between the brain and behaviors represents a major area of research and new discoveries. A fascinating feature of the human brain is its ability to be plastic in specialized areas, including those of distinct topography linked with perceptual experiences. For instance, phantom limb syndrome is a medical condition in which an amputee is able to perceive sensations from a body part that is long attached to the body. According to McCormick, Chang-Chien, Marshall, Huang, & Harden (2013), approximately 80% of amputees experience sensations or pain at some point after an amputation. Sensations during phantom limb syndrome can be described in various ways, pain, sharp muscle spasms, burning, stabbing, aching, pressure, and gnawing. The nature of phantom limb syndrome can acute or chronic and vary significantly in intensity. Phantom Limb syndrome was first introduced by Silas Weir Mitchell, a French surgeon. He noted this phenomenon in soldiers who felt pain in the amputated limbs. In the beginning it was patients were described as having illusion or labeled as mentally ill. Scientist and medical personnel proposed a theory to explain phantom limbs. The theory suggested that neuromas would form, causing the regeneration of
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nerves, or psychological stress attributed to the traumatic event caused phantom limb syndrome to occur (Scott, 2011). Current research and theory focuses on brain plasticity and self organization processes.
However, phantoms are most commonly reported after amputation of an arm or leg there have been reports following the amputation of parts of the face, breast, or even internal viscera (McCormick et al., 2013), for example, an individual can have sensations of bowel movement after removal of the sigmoid colon and rectum. Previous reports have found some paraplegics have had phantom erections and ejaculations, and reports of women having phantom menstrual cramps after a hysterectomy. McCormick et al., (2013), states “sensory memories can reemerge in the phantom in spite of deafferentation”. Deafferenatation is the loss of the sensory input from a portion of the body, usually caused by interruption the peripheral sensory fiber such as, an amputation of a limb.
The internal representation the body is controlled in the brain is created by feedback mechanism of skin and muscle sensory afferents (Scott, 2011).
The sensations are not illusions––these sensations occur because the brain relays motor signals to the missing body part, but does not receive sensory feedback. The sensations are perceived as movements as if the limb still exists, even though the individual can visually recognize the limb is absence. The brain simply unable to interpret the conflicting sensory information experienced by the amputee (Scott, 2011). Thus, requiring experience and time for the brain to adjust to the loss of a limb, because the brain retains information from the imaged of an intact body
part. In original claims children born without limbs were the obvious exception to the theory posed by Mitchell. These individuals have never received sensory signal to emphasize the idea of a body image in the brain.
nerves, or psychological stress attributed to the traumatic event caused phantom limb syndrome to occur (Scott, 2011). Current research and theory focuses on brain plasticity and self organization processes.
However, phantoms are most commonly reported after amputation of an arm or leg there have been reports following the amputation of parts of the face, breast, or even internal viscera (McCormick et al., 2013), for example, an individual can have sensations of bowel movement after removal of the sigmoid colon and rectum. Previous reports have found some paraplegics have had phantom erections and ejaculations, and reports of women having phantom menstrual cramps after a hysterectomy. McCormick et al., (2013), states “sensory memories can reemerge in the phantom in spite of deafferentation”. Deafferenatation is the loss of the sensory input from a portion of the body, usually caused by interruption the peripheral sensory fiber such as, an amputation of a limb.
The internal representation the body is controlled in the brain is created by feedback mechanism of skin and muscle sensory afferents (Scott, 2011).
The sensations are not illusions––these sensations occur because the brain relays motor signals to the missing body part, but does not receive sensory feedback. The sensations are perceived as movements as if the limb still exists, even though the individual can visually recognize the limb is absence. The brain simply unable to interpret the conflicting sensory information experienced by the amputee (Scott, 2011). Thus, requiring experience and time for the brain to adjust to the loss of a limb, because the brain retains information from the imaged of an intact body
part. In original claims children born without limbs were the obvious exception to the theory posed by Mitchell. These individuals have never received sensory signal to emphasize the idea of a body image in the brain.