Arm and leg amputees ages 8-65 may be eligible for a new University study designed to research the effects of limb loss on the brain.
The research, led by University assistant psychology professor and Lewis Center of Neuroimaging Director Scott Frey, aims to better understand the brain changes that develop from limb loss, according to a University press release.
Amputees have difficulty with adapting to prostheses because of the artificial body parts’ complications, Frey said in the release.
The study requires participants to attend a three-hour observation consisting of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and sensory and motor testing.
“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,” Frey said. “We hope the results also will have implications for improving rehabilitation of hand and arm functions more generally.”
Amputees receive $20 an hour for their participation, travel expenses, meals and housing.
To be eligible, amputees should have good health and live in Oregon or Southern Washington.
The MJ Murdock Charitable Trust of Vancouver, Wash., and the UO Brain, Biology and Machine Initiative fund the project.