Two hemiplegic cerebral palsy patients were studied to investigate the cortical mechanisms underlying preserved somatosensory capacity, using functional MRI(fMRI). Tactile stimulation was performed by brushing of palm, during fMRI study. By the affected hand stimulation, contralateral primary somatosensory cortex was activated in patient 1 and cortical area anterior to the lesion site was activated in patient 2. We suggest that reorganization of the somatosensory cortex after brain injury can be induced by recruitment of undamaged areas adjacent to lesion site.
