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Related Concept Videos

Somatosensation01:33

Somatosensation

The somatosensory system relays sensory information from the skin, mucous membranes, limbs, and joints. Somatosensation is more familiarly known as the sense of touch. A typical somatosensory pathway includes three types of long neurons: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary neurons have cell bodies located near the spinal cord in groups of neurons called dorsal root ganglia. The sensory neurons of ganglia innervate designated areas of skin called dermatomes.
Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex01:23

Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex

The somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobes is crucial for interpreting sensory data such as touch, temperature, and proprioception. The somatosensory cortex, situated in the parietal lobes, plays a vital role in interpreting sensory information like touch, temperature, and proprioception—awareness of body position. This specialized brain region features an organized structure wherein neurons at the top primarily process sensations originating from the lower body. In contrast, those at the...
Cerebral Hemispheres01:05

Cerebral Hemispheres

The human brain, a complex organ, is functionally divided into two cerebral hemispheres—left and right. These hemispheres are interconnected by a structure of paramount importance, the corpus callosum. This substantial bundle of neural fibers is not just a bridge between the hemispheres but a crucial element for the brain's comprehensive functioning. It enables efficient communication between the two hemispheres, allowing each side of the brain to control and receive sensory and motor...
Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex01:14

Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex

The cerebral cortex, the brain's outermost layer, is pivotal in processing complex cognitive tasks, emotions, and various sensory inputs and executing voluntary motor activities. This intricate structure is divided into three primary functional areas: the motor areas, sensory areas, and association areas.
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex.
Association Areas of the Cortex01:21

Association Areas of the Cortex

Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Overview of Somatic Sensory Pathways01:29

Overview of Somatic Sensory Pathways

Somatic sensory or somatosensory pathways refer to the neural pathways that carry information related to touch, pressure, pain, temperature, and proprioception from the skin, muscles, tendons, and joints to the brain. These pathways involve several stages of processing and integration of sensory information.
The somatosensory system is divided into three main pathways: the dorsal (or posterior) column-medial lemniscus, spinothalamic (or anterolateral), and spinocerebellar pathways.
The dorsal...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Measuring and Manipulating Functionally Specific Neural Pathways in the Human Motor System with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
09:52

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Published on: February 23, 2020

Interhemispheric interactions between the human primary somatosensory cortices.

Patrick Ragert1, Till Nierhaus, Leonardo G Cohen

  • 1Department of Neurology, Max-Planck-Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany. ragert@cbs.mpg.de

Plos One
|February 25, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Interhemispheric inhibitory interactions occur early in the somatosensory system, specifically within the primary somatosensory cortex (S1). This occurs within 20-25 ms after median nerve stimulation, challenging previous assumptions about later processing stages.

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Last Updated: Jun 4, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Somatosensory System Research
  • Human Brain Function

Background:

  • The exact cortical stage for interhemispheric information transfer in the somatosensory system remains unclear.
  • The secondary somatosensory cortex (S2) was traditionally considered the primary site for this transfer due to its connections.
  • Recent evidence suggests the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) may also play a role in interhemispheric communication.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether interhemispheric inhibitory interactions in the somatosensory system occur at an early cortical processing stage, specifically S1.
  • To test the hypothesis that S1 is involved in early interhemispheric information transfer.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized paired median nerve somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) recordings in human subjects.
  • Employed electrical stimulation of the left median nerve (MN) as a conditioning stimulus (CS) to right S1.
  • Measured the N20 response in the contralateral (left) S1 following a test stimulus (TS) to the right MN.

Main Results:

  • A significant reduction in the N20 response of the left S1 was observed when the CS (left MN) preceded the TS (right MN) by 20-25 ms.
  • This inhibitory effect was specific to the early N20 component, with no significant changes in later components (N20/P25, N30, P40, N60).
  • The subcortical P14 response in the left S1 remained unaffected, indicating a cortical locus of interaction.

Conclusions:

  • Demonstrated the existence of interhemispheric inhibitory interactions between the primary somatosensory cortices (S1) in humans.
  • These interactions occur early, within a critical time window of 20-25 ms post-median nerve stimulation.
  • Findings suggest S1 is involved in early interhemispheric information processing, not solely relying on later stages like S2.