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Intracortical microstimulation of human somatosensory cortex
Sharlene N Flesher1,1, Jennifer L Collinger1,2,3,4, Stephen T Foldes2,3,4
1Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Science Translational Medicine
|October 15, 2016
Summary
Restoring tactile sensation via intracortical microstimulation of the somatosensory cortex is possible. This method evokes naturalistic sensations in individuals with spinal cord injury, aiding in sensory neuroprosthesis development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Sensory Prosthetics
Background:
- Intracortical microstimulation (ICM) is explored for sensory neuroprostheses.
- Animal studies suggest ICM can evoke cutaneous and proprioceptive percepts.
- Perceptual quality of ICM stimuli is difficult to assess in animal models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the perceptual quality of tactile sensations evoked by ICM in humans.
- To determine if ICM can restore naturalistic tactile sensations in individuals with spinal cord injury.
- To assess the somatotopic organization and stability of evoked percepts.
Main Methods:
- ICM was applied to the hand area of the somatosensory cortex in a participant with spinal cord injury.
- Participants reported perceived location, quality, and intensity of evoked sensations.
- Stimulation parameters (amplitude) were modulated to assess perceptual grading.
Main Results:
- ICM evoked tactile sensations localized to the hand, consistent with somatotopic principles.
- Evoked percepts were naturalistic, including pressure, and elicited at low amplitudes.
- Percepts remained stable over months, and intensity was graded by stimulus amplitude.
Conclusions:
- ICM of the somatosensory cortex can evoke naturalistic tactile sensations in humans with spinal cord injury.
- This approach holds promise for developing sensory neuroprostheses to restore touch.
- ICM may provide crucial sensory feedback for dexterous object manipulation.
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