Neuroplasticity Modifications Following a Lower-Limb Amputation: A Systematic Review.

PM R

Departamento de Fisioterapia, Terapia Ocupacional, Rehabilitación y Medicina Física, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain.

Published: December 2019

AI Article Synopsis

  • Research has focused more on brain changes after upper-limb amputation rather than lower-limb amputation, highlighting a gap in understanding.
  • The study examined 11 articles involving 204 individuals with unilateral lower-limb amputation, revealing changes in brain structure, such as increased cerebellar gray matter volume and decreased thickness in various cortical areas.
  • Findings suggest that lower-limb amputation leads to significant brain modifications, including gray and white matter changes and altered connectivity, independent of pain or prosthesis use.

Article Abstract

Background: Although there are studies that have examined brain functional reorganization following upper-limb amputation, understanding of the brain changes that occur in people with lower-limb amputation is limited.

Objective: To investigate modifications in the brain following lower-limb amputation.

Methods: We included case-control studies that evaluate neuroplasticity in the central nervous system using neuroimaging techniques. A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane.

Results: Eleven articles were included (total n = 204 people with unilateral lower-limb amputation). These studies showed an increase in cerebellar gray matter volume in prosthesis users, as well as a decrease in thickness of the premotor cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, temporo-occipital junction, precentral gyrus, visual areas, and somatosensory cortex. Regarding white matter, the trials observed a decrease in the integrity at the corona radiata, the connections between the premotor areas, the fronto-occipital fasciculus and the corpus callosum. In addition, a decreased functional connectivity between cortical and subcortical areas has been described.

Conclusions: Lower-limb amputation causes changes in several brain structures that may occur in the absence of pain and regardless of prosthesis use. The modifications observed include thinning or loss of gray matter volume, decrease in the integrity of the white matter connections between brain structures and changes in the functional connectivity between cortical and subcortical areas.

Level Of Evidence: I.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pmrj.12167DOI Listing

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