Alien Hand Syndrome: When a Limb Goes Rogue

Alien hand syndrome is a rare condition where a person loses control of a limb, often a hand. It was first recorded in 1908 and became more common with epilepsy surgeries in the 1940s. The syndrome is linked to brain damage in areas like the medial frontal cortex, corpus callosum, and parietal lobe, each causing different symptoms. While there's no cure, patients manage it through distraction techniques or Botox injections. The condition offers insights into brain function and control.

What is alien hand syndrome primarily characterized by?

• Loss of sensation in a limb

• Involuntary movements of a limb

• Increased strength in a limb

• Complete paralysis of a limb

Which surgical procedure in the 1940s contributed to an increase in alien hand syndrome cases?

• Temporal lobectomy

• Corpus callosotomy

• Lobotomy

• Deep brain stimulation

Damage to which part of the brain is associated with a strong sense of estrangement from the limb?

• Corpus callosum

• Parietal lobe

• Occipital lobe

• Medial frontal cortex

What is one method patients use to manage alien hand syndrome?

• Electrical stimulation

• Surgical removal of the limb

• Giving the hand a cane to hold

• Physical therapy

What is a potential benefit of studying alien hand syndrome cases?

• Developing new surgical techniques

• Understanding brain damage effects on behavior

• Creating new medications

• Improving physical therapy methods