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Published on: March 10, 2021
Right parietal dominance in spatial egocentric discrimination.
F R Loayza1, M A Fernández-Seara, M Aznárez-Sanado
1Division of Neurosciences, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
Neuroimage
|December 15, 2010
Summary
This study reveals the brain networks involved in tactile perception. The right supramarginal gyrus plays a key role in spatial tactile discrimination and may be crucial for understanding tactile neglect.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Sensory Perception
Background:
- Egocentric tactile perception is vital for hand motor control.
- Understanding the brain's functional underpinnings of tactile perception is essential.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated the neural substrates of specific tactile discrimination tasks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the neural substrates of spatial localization discrimination (SLD) and simultaneity succession discrimination (SSD) in both hands.
- To determine hemispheric dominance for SLD and SSD tasks.
- To investigate brain activation, functional changes, and connectivity patterns related to spatial attentional load and psychometric performance during SLD.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed in 25 right-handed volunteers.
- Sinusoidal vibratory stimuli were applied to eight positions on the palmar surface of both hands.
- Participants performed tasks including SLD, SSD, and stimulus detection.
Main Results:
- A fronto-parietal network was identified for SLD, and a frontal network for SSD.
- Right hemispheric dominance was observed for SLD, with increased BOLD activation and functional interaction between the right supramarginal gyrus and contralateral intra-parietal sulcus.
- Brain activity correlated with spatial attentional load was found in bilateral intra-parietal sulcus, precuneus, superior parietal lobule, pre-supplementary motor area, frontal eye fields, and anterior insulae.
Conclusions:
- The right supramarginal gyrus and its interaction with the intra-parietal lobule are suggested to be pivotal in tactile neglect associated with right fronto-parietal lesions.
- Distinct neural networks support different types of egocentric tactile discrimination.
- Spatial attentional load engages a widespread fronto-parietal network.
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