Intrinsic neural activity predisposes susceptibility to a body illusion

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Psychophysics

Background:

• Susceptibility to the rubber hand illusion (RHI) exhibits significant inter-individual variability.
• Previous research has primarily focused on multisensory integration and its neural correlates, yet a definitive explanation remains elusive.
• The role of intrinsic neural activity, particularly frontal alpha power, in modulating self-perception and illusion susceptibility is underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between resting-state frontal alpha power and susceptibility to the rubber hand illusion (RHI).
• To explore whether intrinsic neural activity, specifically frontal alpha oscillations, can explain variability in RHI susceptibility.
• To examine the potential modulatory role of delta (δ) frequency oscillations on frontal alpha power in relation to RHI susceptibility.

Main Methods:

• Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to measure resting-state brain activity, focusing on frontal alpha (α) power.
• Participants completed tasks assessing their susceptibility to the rubber hand illusion (RHI).
• Correlation analyses were performed to determine the relationship between frontal alpha amplitude oscillations and RHI susceptibility, including investigations into delta (δ) frequency modulation.

Main Results:

• A significant negative correlation was found between frontal alpha amplitude oscillations and susceptibility to the rubber hand illusion (RHI).
• Higher resting-state frontal alpha power was associated with lower susceptibility to the RHI, suggesting a more stable sense of self.
• Evidence indicated that delta (δ) frequency oscillations may modulate frontal alpha power in individuals with low RHI susceptibility.

Conclusions:

• Variability in rubber hand illusion (RHI) susceptibility is not solely explained by multisensory integration mechanisms.
• Intrinsic neural activity, particularly frontal alpha power, plays a crucial role in modulating how individuals respond to conflicting sensory stimuli during the RHI.
• A stable sense of self, potentially reflected in higher frontal alpha power, may confer reduced susceptibility to body ownership illusions.