Understanding brain changes after congenital upper limb loss
Official title: Functional, Structural, and Metabolic Central Nervous System Changes Following Damage of the Central Nervous System
Run by University of Zurich · NCT06043518 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the brains of people born without a hand adapt and change over time compared to those with typical hand function.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 70 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Zurich Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Zurich, Canton of Zurich) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 5, 2023 |
| Main results expected | June 30, 2028 |
| Study ends | June 30, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | November 5, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06043518 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include individuals aged 18-75 with complete absence of a hand due to congenital upper limb amelia.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with neurological impairments unrelated to spinal cord injury or those with contraindications to MRI may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study aims to investigate the structural and functional changes in the central nervous system following congenital upper limb amputation. It focuses on how the brain processes sensory information and the neuronal adaptations that may occur in response to the absence of a hand. Using functional MRI and behavioral testing, the study will compare individuals with upper limb amelia to healthy controls to explore the plasticity of the sensorimotor processing stream. The research seeks to uncover the relationship between brain changes and clinical measures, providing insights into the mechanisms of brain reorganization.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance our understanding of brain plasticity in amputees, potentially leading to improved rehabilitation strategies.
How similar studies have gone: While studies on brain plasticity in amputees exist, this specific focus on congenital upper limb loss and its effects on CNS changes is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria - Patients: * Age 18-75 * Upper-limb congenital amputees with complete absence of a hand * Signed informed consent Exclusion Criteria - Patients: * Contraindications to magnetic resonance imaging * Neurological impairment of body function impairments not induced by spinal cord injury * BMI \> 40 * Pregnancy * Claustrophobia Inclusion Criteria - Healthy subjects: * Age 18-75 * Signed Informed consent Exclusion Criteria - Healthy subjects: * Contraindications to magnetic resonance imaging * Pregnancy * Neurological illness * Impairment of body function induced by a congenital upper-limb amputation * Claustrophobia * BMI \> 40
Where it's running
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Balgrist Campus
Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Patrick Freund, Prof. — University of Zurich
- Study coordinator: Paige Howell, PhD
- Email: paige.howell@hest.ethz.ch
- Phone: +41 44 632 32 94
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.