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Modulating vicarious tactile perception with transcranial electrical current stimulation.
Natalie C Bowling1, Michael J Banissy1
1Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, London, SE14 6NW, UK.
The European Journal of Neuroscience
|September 19, 2017
Summary
Transcranial electrical stimulation, including tDCS and tRNS, was investigated for its ability to modulate vicarious tactile perception. The study found no convincing evidence that these stimulation methods can reliably alter the experience of perceiving touch.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Social Cognition
- Psychology
Background:
- Vicarious perception, particularly of touch, is crucial for social behavior, activating brain regions similar to direct touch.
- Mirror-touch synaesthesia is a condition where observing touch elicits conscious tactile sensations.
- Previous research suggested transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) could induce vicarious touch sensations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of tDCS and transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) on vicarious tactile perception.
- To examine if stimulation effects differ when viewing touch on humans versus inanimate objects.
- To assess the influence of visual perspective on vicarious tactile perception.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments were conducted using tDCS and tRNS targeted at the primary somatosensory cortex (SI) and temporo-parietal junction (TPJ).
- Participants viewed touch stimuli, and their vicarious tactile perception was assessed.
- Visual perspective (own vs. other) and the target of touch (human vs. inanimate) were manipulated.
Main Results:
- tRNS applied to SI did not modulate vicarious perception in Experiment 1.
- tDCS applied to SI showed some modulation of vicarious perception in Experiment 2, but with significant caveats.
- Stimulation of the TPJ did not yield significant modulatory effects on vicarious perception.
Conclusions:
- The findings do not provide strong evidence for modulating vicarious tactile perception using transcranial electrical stimulation.
- Current methods of tDCS and tRNS may not be effective for inducing or altering vicarious touch experiences.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of vicarious perception and potential neuromodulation techniques.
