Mice & Artificial Limbs: The Rubber Paw Illusion
- Mice can develop a sense of embodiment with artificial limbs, according to a new study from Université Paris-Saclay.
- Luc Estebanez, a researcher at Université Paris-Saclay, said the study provides a toolkit for neural engineering in mice, perhaps revealing new methods for controlling prostheses.
- The concept of prosthetic embodiment refers to the process by which individuals internalize a prosthetic limb as part of their own body.
New research reveals that mice can experience prosthetic embodiment, a groundbreaking finding with implications for advanced neuroprosthetics. This study, adapted from teh “rubber-hand illusion,” demonstrates that mice can integrate artificial limbs, triggering fear responses when those limbs are threatened, mirroring human experiences.the findings offer a new understanding of how brains map body ownership—a critical step for treating conditions disrupting body perception, especially in prosthetic users. This research, published in PLOS Biology, introduces a novel model for studying prosthetic embodiment and the underlying science. It could revolutionize brain-computer interfaces, opening doors for targeted brain stimulation too ultimately improve neuroprosthetic designs. news Directory 3 helps break down these complex neurological discoveries and the potential to enhance secondary_keyword. Discover what’s next for mice and artificial limbs!
Mice Can “Embody” Artificial Limbs, Study Finds
Updated June 05, 2025
Mice can develop a sense of embodiment with artificial limbs, according to a new study from Université Paris-Saclay. This finding, published in PLOS Biology, mirrors the experience of humans who use prosthetics and could lead to advancements in neuroprosthetics and brain-computer interfaces. The research explores prosthetic embodiment and its neural underpinnings.
Luc Estebanez, a researcher at Université Paris-Saclay, said the study provides a toolkit for neural engineering in mice, perhaps revealing new methods for controlling prostheses. The team’s work delves into how the brain integrates artificial limbs into its internal body map.
The concept of prosthetic embodiment refers to the process by which individuals internalize a prosthetic limb as part of their own body. However, manny prosthetic users struggle with this integration. Certain psychiatric disorders can also disrupt this internal mapping, leading to body neglect and increased accident risk.
The study introduces a novel model for studying limb embodiment in mice, allowing for closer examination of the neuroscience involved. Unlike most studies that rely on human subjects and subjective assessments, this approach enables researchers to investigate granular brain changes during embodiment.
Luc Estebanoz, CC-BY 4.0
To investigate, the researchers adapted the “rubber-hand illusion” for mice, using a rubber paw. By monitoring pupil movements, they observed that the mice exhibited fear reactions when the rubber paw was threatened, similar to human responses in the classic experiment. The mice did not react the same way to a simple block, indicating that the artificial limb needed to resemble their real paw.
tamar Makin, a cognitive neuroscience professor at the University of Cambridge, noted the subjective sense of body ownership is critical but difficult to assess in nonverbal species. Estebanez emphasized the need to study mice differently to understand their rich cognitive depiction of their bodies.
Estebanez said:
To really study embodiment, you need to look at mice in a way peopel don’t look at mice… If you take the full consequence of the study, it suggests that mice actually have a vrey rich cognitive representation of their body, which is super exciting.
The findings suggest that mice can be used to explore the brain regions involved in embodiment,potentially benefiting individuals with prosthetics or conditions affecting body perception.The model allows for targeted brain stimulation, which could enhance brain-computer interfaces and neuroprosthetic designs.
Makin cautioned against directly linking the passive limb model to neuroprosthetics, as it does not address the challenges of voluntary control. However, Estebanez mentioned ongoing work involving a brain-computer interface to control a tiny mouse prosthesis, which could further advance the field.
What’s next
Future research will focus on using brain-computer interfaces to control prosthetic limbs in mice, aiming to understand and enhance the level of embodiment achieved through motor control.