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Wednesday, Oct 17, 2012 7:30 PM UTC

Official: Shot Pakistani girl is moving her limbs

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Official: Shot Pakistani girl is moving her limbsIndian students participate in a prayer ceremony in support of and for the recovery of 14-year-old schoolgirl Malala Yousufzai, who was shot in the head last Tuesday by the Taliban for speaking out in support of education for women, at a school in Ahmadabad, India, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012. Experts are optimistic that Yousufzai, who was airlifted Monday to Britain to receive specialized medical care, has a good chance of recovery because unlike adults, the brains of teenagers are still growing and can adapt to trauma better. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)(Credit: Ajit Solanki)

LONDON (AP) — A Pakistani official says a 14-year-old girl shot in the head by the Taliban for promoting female education has been doing better since she was airlifted to England for specialized treatment and has even been moving her limbs.

Because the exact nature of Malala Yousufzai’s brain injuries hasn’t been made public, it’s difficult to gauge what such improvements may mean.

One expert said Wednesday that physical abilities often returned first in cases of brain trauma, but it doesn’t necessarily herald a full recovery.

Still, Dr. Jonathan Fellus of the International Brain Research Foundation says “any progress is hopeful.”

The Pakistani official spoke anonymously, saying he wasn’t authorized to talk on the record about the case.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, where the girl is being treated, declined comment.

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