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Effects of co-activation on cortical organization and discrimination performance

Neuroreport. 2004 Dec 3;15(17):2669-72. doi: 10.1097/00001756-200412030-00023.

Abstract

We used fMRI to investigate the effects of tactile co-activation on the topographic organization of the human primary somatosensory cortex (SI). Behavioral consequences of co-activation were studied in a psychophysical task assessing the mislocalization of tactile stimuli. Co-activation was applied to the index, middle and ring fingers of the right hand either synchronously or asynchronously. Cortical representations for synchronously co-activated fingers moved closer together, whereas cortical representations for asynchronously co-activated fingers became segregated. Behaviorally, this pattern coincided with an increased and reduced number of mislocalizations between synchronously and asynchronously co-activated fingers, respectively. Thus, both synchronous and asynchronous coupling of passive tactile stimulation is able to induce short-term cortical reorganization associated with functionally relevant changes.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Mapping / methods
  • Discrimination, Psychological / physiology*
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality / physiology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Oxygen / blood
  • Physical Stimulation
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology*
  • Psychophysics / methods
  • Somatosensory Cortex / blood supply
  • Somatosensory Cortex / physiology*
  • Touch / physiology*

Substances

  • Oxygen