Body integrity dysphoria (BID), a long-lasting desire for the amputation of physically healthy limbs, is associated with reduced fMRI resting-state functional connectivity of somatosensory cortices. Here, we used fMRI to evaluate whether these findings could be replicated and expanded using a task-based paradigm. We measured brain activations during somatosensory stimulation and motor tasks for each of the four limbs in ten individuals with a life-long desire for the amputation of the left leg and fourteen controls. For the left leg, BID individuals had reduced brain activation in the right superior parietal lobule for somatosensory stimulation and in the right paracentral lobule for the motor task, areas where we previously found reduced resting-state functional connectivity. In addition, for somatosensory stimulation only, we found a robust reduction in activation of somatosensory areas SII bilaterally, mostly regardless of the stimulated body part. Areas SII were regions of convergent activations for signals from all four limbs in controls to a significantly greater extent than in subjects with BID. We conclude that BID is associated with altered integration of somatosensory and, to a lesser extent, motor signals, involving limb-specific cortical maps and brain regions where the first integration of body-related signals is achieved through convergence.

Gandola, M., Zapparoli, L., Saetta, G., Reverberi, C., Salvato, G., Squarza, S., et al. (2021). Brain abnormalities in individuals with a desire for a healthy limb amputation: Somatosensory, motoric or both? a task-based fmri verdict. BRAIN SCIENCES, 11(9) [10.3390/brainsci11091248].

Brain abnormalities in individuals with a desire for a healthy limb amputation: Somatosensory, motoric or both? a task-based fmri verdict

Zapparoli L.
Secondo
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
Reverberi C.
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
Paulesu E.
Ultimo
Membro del Collaboration Group
2021

Abstract

Body integrity dysphoria (BID), a long-lasting desire for the amputation of physically healthy limbs, is associated with reduced fMRI resting-state functional connectivity of somatosensory cortices. Here, we used fMRI to evaluate whether these findings could be replicated and expanded using a task-based paradigm. We measured brain activations during somatosensory stimulation and motor tasks for each of the four limbs in ten individuals with a life-long desire for the amputation of the left leg and fourteen controls. For the left leg, BID individuals had reduced brain activation in the right superior parietal lobule for somatosensory stimulation and in the right paracentral lobule for the motor task, areas where we previously found reduced resting-state functional connectivity. In addition, for somatosensory stimulation only, we found a robust reduction in activation of somatosensory areas SII bilaterally, mostly regardless of the stimulated body part. Areas SII were regions of convergent activations for signals from all four limbs in controls to a significantly greater extent than in subjects with BID. We conclude that BID is associated with altered integration of somatosensory and, to a lesser extent, motor signals, involving limb-specific cortical maps and brain regions where the first integration of body-related signals is achieved through convergence.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
Body awareness; Body integrity dysphoria; Body representation; Motor task; Secondary somatosensory cortex; Somatosensory stimulation; Task-based fMRI;
English
21-set-2021
2021
11
9
1248
open
Gandola, M., Zapparoli, L., Saetta, G., Reverberi, C., Salvato, G., Squarza, S., et al. (2021). Brain abnormalities in individuals with a desire for a healthy limb amputation: Somatosensory, motoric or both? a task-based fmri verdict. BRAIN SCIENCES, 11(9) [10.3390/brainsci11091248].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/332687
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