A 'sixth sense' on top of taste, smell, touch, sight and hearing does exist, scientists have claimed, but unfortunately it isn't the ability to see a perished Bruce Willis.
No, American researchers call it the 'intuition gene' and it affects 'proprioception' or more simply body awareness. It was discovered in two young patients who have a mutation in the 'Piezo2' gene.
The rare neurological disorder meant that when the two were blindfolded, they were unable to walk without falling.
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The two - aged nine and nineteen - could neither track the position of their arms and legs as the researches slowly moved them, a knack that comes effortlessly to most.
The two were still susceptible to pain, itch and temperature.
Neurologist Dr Carsten Bonnemann, of the National Institutes of Health in Maryland, said: "Our study highlights the critical importance of Piezo2 and the senses it controls in our daily lives.
"The results establish Piezo2 is a touch and proprioception gene in humans.
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"Understanding its role in these senses may provide clues to a variety of neurological disorders."
Co-author Dr Alexander Chesler, who co-authored the study, said: "As someone who studies Piezo2 in mice working with these patients was humbling.
"Our results suggest they are touch-blind. The patient's version of Piezo2 may not work so their neurons cannot detect touch or limb movements."
Dr Bonnemann added: "What's remarkable about these patients is how much their nervous systems compensate for their lack of touch and body awareness."
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You can read the full published study in the New England Journal of Medicine .
Featured image credit: The Sixth Sense/Buena Vista Pictures
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