Lawrence.com

Fans of thought-provoking television should not miss "Secrets of the Mind" on "Nova" (7 p.m., PBS).

Just how does the mind "map" the human body? What is the difference between mere sensation and consciousness? Is there a part of the brain that responds to mystical experiences?

These and other profound questions unfold in an hour spent with Indian-born brain researcher Dr. V.S. Ramachandran. Called "one of the most interesting neuroscientists of our time" by author Dr. Oliver Sacks, Ramachandran is also an avid reader of Sherlock Holmes. He fancies himself a neurological detective who pieces together evidence from peculiar disorders to formulate new theories about the "normal" workings of the brain.

In one case, he examines Derek, who lost his left arm after a motorcycle accident. Despite the missing limb, Derek still "feels" his left hand and experiences a stroking sensation across his "phantom" limb every time he shaves. Ramachandran uses Derek's case to explain how the mind creates a map of the body. Apparently, the neurons that responded to feelings in the hand reside next to those that deal with the cheek. Hungry for input, the "hand" section of the brain was taken over by "cheek" part, but these signals are mistranslated elsewhere in the brain to give Derek "feeling" in a nonexistent hand.

Like the best Sherlock Holmes mystery, Ramachandran is both challenging and entertaining. He speaks in a deep voice and presents his often-cosmic observations with the eloquence of a poet. He wrote "Phantoms in the Brain" (William Morrow & Co., 1998), which was selected as one of the best books of the year by The Economist magazine. Nobel laureate Francis Crick calls it "a splendid book ... If you are at all interested in how your brain works, this is a book you must read."

� Alicia Keys, Lenny Kravitz, John Mellencamp, India Arie, Mariah Carey, Macy Gray and Sugar Ray are scheduled to perform at the annual "VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards" (8 p.m. VH1). Gwen Stefani, Salma Hayek, Angie Harmon, New York Giant Jason Sehorn, Sean "Puffy" Combs, Renee Zellweger, Gisele Bundchen, Enrique Iglesias, Chris Noth, Kathy Griffin, Furtado, and Josh Hartnett also appear.

Tonight's other highlights

� Bad guys decide to test the Slayer's limitations on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (7 p.m., UPN).

� Rory and Lorelai visit colleges on "Gilmore Girls" (7 p.m., WB).

� "Victoria and Albert" concludes (8 p.m., A&E).

� A teen-ager's reputation undermines her rape claim on "The Guardian" (8 p.m., CBS).

� Devastating news about Vincent's girlfriend on "Judging Amy" (9 p.m., CBS).

� Scheduled on "Dateline" (9 p.m., NBC): vacationers taken hostage in the Philippines.