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How the vestibular system modulates tactile perception in normal subjects: a behavioural and physiological study
Elisa Raffaella Ferrè1, Anna Sedda, Martina Gandola
1Department of Psychology, University of Pavia, Piazza Botta 6, 27100 Pavia, Italy. elisa.ferre@unipv.it
Experimental Brain Research
|October 26, 2010
Summary
Caloric vestibular stimulation (CVS) temporarily alters tactile perception in healthy individuals. This effect is more pronounced for stimuli presented below the sensory threshold, suggesting a multisensory interaction.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sensory Perception
- Vestibular System
Background:
- Caloric vestibular stimulation (CVS) is known to transiently improve hemianaesthesia in patients with right brain damage.
- Recent research suggests CVS effects stem from overlapping vestibular and tactile projections in the brain.
- Limited information exists regarding the behavioral impact of CVS on individuals without brain damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of left ear CVS on tactile perception in healthy subjects.
- To determine if CVS influences tactile sensitivity in normal individuals.
- To explore the nature of the interaction between vestibular and tactile sensory systems.
Main Methods:
- Seventeen right-handed healthy subjects participated in the study.
- Tactile stimuli, both above and below sensory threshold, were administered during left ear CVS.
- The experiment involved three conditions: Baseline, Post-CVS, and Delayed CVS, using a custom-designed tool for standardized stimulation.
Main Results:
- A significant main effect of stimulus type and condition was observed.
- Post hoc analysis indicated that stimuli presented below the sensory threshold were most affected by CVS.
- Left ear CVS significantly modulated tactile perception in healthy subjects.
Conclusions:
- CVS can modulate tactile perception in healthy individuals.
- The observed modulation is selective for sub-threshold tactile stimuli.
- A multisensory phenomenon, involving interaction between the touch and vestibular systems, is the likely explanation, supported by anatomical and prior research findings.
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