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Tuned neural responses to haptic numerosity in the putamen
Shir Hofstetter1, Serge O Dumoulin2
1Spinoza Centre for Neuroimaging, Meibergdreef 75, Amsterdam 1105 BK, the Netherlands.
Neuroimage
|May 21, 2021
Summary
Subcortical brain regions, specifically the putamen, show tuned neural responses to haptic numerosity. This suggests the basal ganglia play a role in perceiving number and preparing actions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Sensory Perception
Background:
- Numerosity perception is vital for behavior across species.
- Previous research focused on parietal and frontal cortices, but subcortical involvement is suggested.
- Tuned neural responses to haptic numerosity were recently found in the human cortex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if subcortical nuclei are engaged in the perception of haptic numerosity.
- To explore the role of the putamen in processing numerical information through touch.
Main Methods:
- A haptic numerosity exploration task was employed.
- Population receptive field modeling was used to analyze neural responses.
- Ultra-high field magnetic resonance imaging (7T MRI) was utilized to measure brain activity.
Main Results:
- Tuned neural responses to haptic numerosity were identified in the bilateral putamen.
- The tuning width of population receptive fields increased with numerosity, mirroring cortical findings.
- These findings indicate the putamen's involvement in numerical cognition.
Conclusions:
- The putamen is implicated in the perception of haptic numerosity.
- Motor-sensory loops involving the putamen and basal ganglia may contribute to numerosity perception and action preparation.
- This extends the known cognitive functions of the basal ganglia.
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