Stable Brain Maps After Amputation

New imaging shows the brain’s map for a missing limb remains largely intact, explaining vivid phantom sensations and pain. This contradicts the common claim that nearby regions quickly 'take over' cortex after injury. It suggests targeting preserved maps for better pain management and neuroprosthetics. — If adult brain architecture is more stable than assumed, policy and clinical claims about rapid neuroplastic 'retraining' need recalibration toward treatments that work with existing maps.