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Related Experiment Videos

Somatosensory discrimination based on cortical microstimulation

R Romo1, A Hernández, A Zainos

  • 1Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México DF. rromo@ifcsun1.ifisiol.unam.mx

Nature
|April 16, 1998
PubMed
Summary

Quickly adapting neurons in the somatosensory cortex (S1) are crucial for flutter perception. Artificial electrical stimulation of these neurons in monkeys produced indistinguishable sensations from natural mechanical vibrations.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Somatosensation
  • Psychophysics

Background:

  • Mechanical vibrations (5-50Hz) applied to skin elicit the sensation of flutter.
  • Primary somatosensory cortex (S1) neurons, particularly quickly adapting (QA) ones linked to Meissner's corpuscles, respond dynamically to flutter stimuli.
  • The direct role of QA neurons in flutter perception remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether quickly adapting neurons in area 3b of S1 are directly involved in the perception of flutter.
  • To determine if artificial stimulation of these neurons can elicit flutter sensations.
  • To compare behavioral responses to natural mechanical and artificial electrical flutter stimuli.

Main Methods:

  • Monkeys were trained to discriminate frequency differences between sequential flutter stimuli on fingertips.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Microelectrodes were implanted in area 3b of S1.
  • The second stimulus was replaced with electrical current pulses, mimicking natural flutter frequencies.

    • Main Results:

    • Monkeys reliably discriminated frequency differences between mechanical and electrical stimuli.
    • Behavioral responses to artificial electrical stimulation were nearly identical to those from natural mechanical stimuli.
    • Results were consistent for both periodic and aperiodic stimuli of equal average frequencies.

    Conclusions:

    • Quickly adapting neurons in S1 area 3b are directly activated and essential for flutter perception.
    • Artificial electrical stimulation of these neurons can effectively substitute for natural mechanical stimuli.
    • The neural code for flutter sensation is finely tunable, allowing indistinguishable perception between natural and artificial inputs.