Did You Know!
A Rare Brain Disorder Can Make Your Hand Move Against Your Will
A neurological condition called alien hand syndrome can cause a person’s hand to perform complex movements without their conscious control.
For example, someone might button their shirt with one hand while the other hand unexpectedly unbuttons it. In some cases, the affected hand may grab objects, move independently, or interfere with actions the person is trying to perform.
This unusual disorder can occur after strokes, certain brain surgeries, or damage to regions responsible for coordinating movement.
One particularly interesting feature is that the affected hand can sometimes perform seemingly purposeful actions even though the person never intended to make those movements.
Alien hand syndrome demonstrates how the brain’s ability to control movement depends on communication between specialized regions.
