Positive self-perception and corticospinal excitability: Recalling positive behavior expands peripersonal space...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Motor Control

Background:

• Peripersonal space, the space around the body, is dynamically represented.
• Motor and cognitive factors are known to influence peripersonal space representation.
• The impact of self-perception on peripersonal space remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if changes in self-perception affect the representation of peripersonal space.
• To examine how recalling experiences of high power, low power, or positivity influences corticospinal excitability in relation to object proximity.
• To differentiate motor facilitation patterns in vertical versus horizontal peripersonal space.

Main Methods:

• Utilized non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, specifically Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation with Electromyography (TMS-EMG).
• Measured corticospinal excitability via Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs).
• Manipulated self-perception by having participants recall personal experiences inducing high power, low power, or positive emotions.

Main Results:

• In vertical space, Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs) were higher in extrapersonal space under low power conditions, mirroring preliminary findings.
• In horizontal space, motor facilitation was observed for objects in peripersonal space, consistent with prior research.
• High power and general positive emotion conditions did not show distance-dependent modulation of MEPs in vertical space.

Conclusions:

• Findings suggest distinct motor facilitation patterns for vertical versus horizontal space perception.
• Self-perception, particularly feelings of low power, can significantly alter representations of peripersonal space.
• This study highlights the interplay between internal states and the dynamic construction of personal space.