University of Oregon Researcher Seeking Arm, Hand Amputees

The research will be used to probe how the brain reorganizes in absence of limbs.

amputee-coalition.org

(EUGENE) - A University of Oregon researcher is seeking people, ages 8-65, who have lost an arm or hand for a study designed to probe the effects of limb loss on brain activity.

Participants will need to commit to one three-hour appointment during which they will undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) while they plan movements and undergo sensory and motor testing.

Subjects will be reimbursed for their time ($20 per hour), travel expenses, meals and overnight stays, if required.

"Our goal is to learn about changes in brain organization that occur as the result of limb loss," said Scott H. Frey, a professor of psychology and director of the Lewis Center for Neuroimaging. "Many people don't adapt well to prostheses and give up on using them. We want to know what is going on in the brain and how we may tap into that knowledge to get a person ready for a limb replacement and better understand the mechanisms contributing to painful phantom sensations. We hope the results also will have implications for improving rehabilitation of hand and arm functions more generally."

Data collection begins immediately and will continue until March 2007. Preferred subjects will be healthy individuals who live in Oregon or downstate Washington to allow for short travel times and reduced inconvenience to participants. Subjects with or without prostheses are welcome.

Anyone interested in participating in the research should contact Diana Alderetti by email (dalderet@uoregon.edu) or telephone at (541) 346-0337.