Deactivation and reactivation of somatosensory cortex after dorsal spinal cord injury
Article Abstract:
The spinal cord conveys sensory stimuli through the body to the primary somatosensory cortex. It has long been believed that the main pathway for such signals are the dorsal column afferents. However, cutting the dorsal column has produced marked, transitory and mild behavioural and physiological consequences, raising questions about the importance of the dorsal column. Research assessing the effects of removing the unilateral dorsal column on the hand, face and arm regions of the contralateral primary somatosensory cortex showed that, over time, some response returns but only after being remapped to a different part of the primary somatosensory cortex.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1997
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Phantoms of the brain
Article Abstract:
Research into the brain reorganization that takes place following amputation has involved placing microelectrodes in normal parts of the somatosensory thalamus and in the part of the thalamus where neurons would formerly have been activated by stimulating the missing limb. It was possible to identify the regions of the skin where light touch activated neurons recorded at a range of electrode locations, thus defining the receptive field of those neurons. The reactivation of deprived parts of the human thalamus indicates that there is a subcortical locus for a large part of the reorganization that takes place after limb amputation.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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Evolving ideas of brain evolution
Article Abstract:
Research examining evolution patterns of mammalian brain is presented. It is emphasized that mammalian groups present similarities of proportions in brain size. Further research is needed to investigate the evolutionary relevance of the brain size in different species.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2001
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