Braile & Finger & Brain
Reference:Pascual-Leone A, Torres F. Plasticity of the sensorimotor cortex representation of the reading finger in Braille readers. Brain. 1993 Feb;116 ( Pt 1):39-52.
This complicated study looked at the organization of the somatosensory cortex in Braille readers, using transcranial magnetic stimulation. They studied five visulally impaired subjects, and compared the results with those of control subjects.
In a Nutshell: This experiment suggests that individuals who read Braille, have an expansion of their sensorimotor cortical representation of their reading finger.
Clinical Relevance: If using a body part, causes the cortical representation to expand, then it is logical that NOT using parts of the body will likely SHRINK or SMUDGE the cortical representation.
So the words “Use it or lose it”, takes a whole new meaning from the cortex point of view.
Posted on: October 10, 2010
Categories: Fascinating Pain Studies
