The investigators have recently described striking examples of such rapid cortical re-organisations induced by selective cutaneous anaesthesia of the forearm: application of EMLA cream to the volar aspect of the forearm results in improved sensory functions of the hand [18] linked to expansion of the hand representational area in sensory cortex . In analogy, EMLA application to the lower leg in healthy controls results in improved sensory functions in the sole of the foot linked to expansion of the foot representational area in sensory cortex.