Tool-use: An open window into body representation and its plasticity.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• The neural basis of human tool mastery has long been studied, focusing on spatial representations.
• Recent research investigates how tool use modifies the sensorimotor system and body schema.
• Emerging evidence suggests tool use also influences higher-level body representations like body image.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review tool-use paradigms for understanding their impact on body representations.
• To disentangle features of tool use responsible for incorporation into body schema and body image.
• To highlight the potential of tool use in studying higher-order body representations and plasticity.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on tool use and its effects on spatial and body representations.
• Analysis of studies involving monkeys, healthy humans, and brain-damaged patients.
• Examination of different tool-use paradigms and their specific impacts.

Main Results:

• Tool use induces plastic changes in the body schema, crucial for motor control.
• Evidence indicates tool use affects visually and conceptually based body image.
• Different tool-use paradigms differentially impact various body representations.

Conclusions:

• Tool use is a powerful tool for investigating the plasticity of body representations.
• Understanding tool incorporation into body schema and body image offers insights into brain function.
• Further research using diverse tool-use paradigms is needed to fully elucidate these effects.