Non-invasive brain stimulation reveals reorganised cortical outputs in amputees

EMG responses to non-invasive electromagnetic brain stimulation (EMS) were recorded from arm muscles of congenital amputees. Responses were obtained with lower thresholds on the amputated than on the intact side and were evoked from a larger cortical area. Contracting muscles showed increased responses to EMS; the increase was more pronounced on the amputated side. Similar findings were obtained in one traumatic amputee who suffered an early amputation, but not in another patient with a late amputation. We conclude that in congenital amputees there is substantial reorganisation of the corticospinal system and that this may also occur in early traumatic cases.