KEY-FINDING
Non-afferent topographic maps in S1
The human primary somatosensory cortex (SI) has long been believed to only code self-perceived (afferent) touch. We show using 7 Tesla fMRI that feeling touch on the hand and observing touch at another person's hand activates similar fine-grained topographic maps in SI and similar inhibitory receptive field interactions in SI. Key insight: Topographic maps in S1 can also arise from non-afferent sources and may be an important contributor to body memories.
Non-afferent topographic maps in S1
The human primary somatosensory cortex (SI) has long been believed to only code self-perceived (afferent) touch. We show using 7 Tesla fMRI that feeling touch on the hand and observing touch at another person's hand activates similar fine-grained topographic maps in SI and similar inhibitory receptive field interactions in SI. Key insight: Topographic maps in S1 can also arise from non-afferent sources and may be an important contributor to body memories.
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TREND
ERC Starting Grant 2020 on "Body Memory" I received an ERC Starting Grant to investigate the neuronal basis of body memories, their clinical manifestations, and potential ways to alter maladaptive body memories using tailored interventions. This exciting new research line combines basic research, applied research and application by combining functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging, behavioral assessments, full-body, advanced VR technology and clinical investigations to understand how past bodily experiences influence mental health. PhD and Postdoc positions are advertised here. Read more about the research. NEW
Clinical Manifestations of Body Memories Body memories can be defined as the sum of bodily experiences that we store in memory and influence behavior. We here identify mechanisms that give rise to Clinical Body Memories (CBMs) that influence mental health, for example in conditions of chronic pain, trauma or dissociative disorders. We argue that the investigation of the neuronal mechanisms that underlie the storage and retrieval of body memories provides us with empirical access to reduce the negative impact of body memories on mental health. More info here 
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REVIEW
How visual body perception influences somatosensory plasticity
We here provide an overview about how viewing the body influences plasticity mechanisms in the human somatosensory cortex, particularly the processing of tactile information. This review offers a contribution to understanding the complex interactions between social perception and somatosensory learning by focusing on an exciting research field: socially mediated sensory plasticity. Read the full paper: [link]
How visual body perception influences somatosensory plasticity
We here provide an overview about how viewing the body influences plasticity mechanisms in the human somatosensory cortex, particularly the processing of tactile information. This review offers a contribution to understanding the complex interactions between social perception and somatosensory learning by focusing on an exciting research field: socially mediated sensory plasticity. Read the full paper: [link]
RESEARCH
Impaired remapping of social relationships in older adults
Social relationships are a central aspect of our everyday life and are critical to maintain mental health, yet our ability to adapt to changes in social relationships is an under-investigated topic. Here, we use the concept of cognitive mapping to investigate the plasticity of social relationships in younger and older adults. We describe social relationships within a ‘social space’, defined as a two-dimensional grid composed of the axis ‘power’ and ‘affiliation’, and investigate it using a 3D virtual environment with interacting avatars. We show that participants remap dimensions in ‘social space’ when avatars show conflicting behavior compared to consistent behavior and that, while older adults show similar updating behavior than younger adults, they show a distinct reduction in remapping social space. Our data provide first evidence that older adults show more rigid social behavior when avatars change their behavior in the dimensions of power and affiliation, which may explain age-related social behavior differences in everyday life. Read the full paper: [link]
Impaired remapping of social relationships in older adults
Social relationships are a central aspect of our everyday life and are critical to maintain mental health, yet our ability to adapt to changes in social relationships is an under-investigated topic. Here, we use the concept of cognitive mapping to investigate the plasticity of social relationships in younger and older adults. We describe social relationships within a ‘social space’, defined as a two-dimensional grid composed of the axis ‘power’ and ‘affiliation’, and investigate it using a 3D virtual environment with interacting avatars. We show that participants remap dimensions in ‘social space’ when avatars show conflicting behavior compared to consistent behavior and that, while older adults show similar updating behavior than younger adults, they show a distinct reduction in remapping social space. Our data provide first evidence that older adults show more rigid social behavior when avatars change their behavior in the dimensions of power and affiliation, which may explain age-related social behavior differences in everyday life. Read the full paper: [link]
DISSERTATION
OPEN BODY MAPS
In my dissertation, I showed that the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) responds to both afferent (tactually perceived) and non-afferent (observed) touch. I argue that this speaks in favour of "open body maps" - a concept that I associate to the "open minds"-concept introduced by Prof. Wolfgang Prinz.
OPEN BODY MAPS
In my dissertation, I showed that the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) responds to both afferent (tactually perceived) and non-afferent (observed) touch. I argue that this speaks in favour of "open body maps" - a concept that I associate to the "open minds"-concept introduced by Prof. Wolfgang Prinz.
FUNDING
ERC StG 2020: "Body memory"
ERC StG 2020: "Body memory"
