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More than skin deep: body representation beyond primary somatosensory cortex
Matthew R Longo1, Elena Azañón, Patrick Haggard
1Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK. m.longo@ucl.ac.uk
Neuropsychologia
|September 2, 2009
Summary
This review explores higher-order body processing beyond basic touch. It distinguishes between perceiving the body (somatoperception) and cognitive knowledge about the body (somatorepresentation).
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Psychology
Background:
- Neural circuits for initial sensory processing are understood.
- Higher-order processing for abstract body representations is less clear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review two classes of higher-order processing beyond somatosensation: somatoperception and somatorepresentation.
- To explore the dissociation between these higher somatosensory functions.
Main Methods:
- Review of neuropsychological data.
- Review of neuroimaging data.
- Review of neurophysiological data.
Main Results:
- Somatoperception involves egocentric remapping, exteroceptive object perception via body contact, and interoceptive body state perception.
- Somatorepresentation includes semantic knowledge, body structure knowledge, self-attitudes, and the body-self link.
Conclusions:
- Distinguishes between perceptual (somatoperception) and cognitive (somatorepresentation) aspects of body processing.
- Highlights the dissociation between these higher somatosensory functions based on diverse data.
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