KEY-FINDING
Non-afferent topographic maps in human SI
The human primary somatosensory cortex (SI) area 3b has long been believed to code self-perceived (afferent) touch only. 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 area 3b and similar inhibitory receptive field interactions. Key insight: Topographic maps in area 3b are also triggered from non-afferent sources. Read the full Journal of Neuroscience and Brain Structure and Function papers: [link] [link]
Non-afferent topographic maps in human SI
The human primary somatosensory cortex (SI) area 3b has long been believed to code self-perceived (afferent) touch only. 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 area 3b and similar inhibitory receptive field interactions. Key insight: Topographic maps in area 3b are also triggered from non-afferent sources. Read the full Journal of Neuroscience and Brain Structure and Function papers: [link] [link]
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TREND
ERC Starting Grant 2020 on "Body Memory" In 2020, I received an ERC Starting Grant on "Body Memory" to investigate the neuronal basis of body memories, their clinical manifestations, and potential ways of alteration. This exciting 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. Read more about the research. OPINION
Clinical Manifestations of Body Memories Body memories can be defined as the sum of all bodily experiences that are stored in memory and influence behavior. We 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. Read the full Opinion paper here 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 as a consequence of changes in behavioral patterns is an under-investigated topic. In this experimental paper, we combine VR with a behavioral plasticity paradigm and show that younger adults alter their behavioral pattern when an avatar changes its behavior, whereas older adults show a reduction in such a "remapping" of social space. Our data provide first evidence that older adults longer show their learned behavioral patterns when interaction partners change their behavior compared to younger adults. Read the full paper: [link] |
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Blog: Wie sich dein Körper erinnert
Deutschlandfunk Nova: Körpergedächtnis - Negative Gefühle mit positiven bekämpfen Deutschlandfunk Nova: Wie wir weniger grübeln Volksstimme: Wie Körper und Geist zusammen hängen In-Mind: Ohnmacht - über das Gefühl, das Leben nicht im Griff zu haben In-Mind: Das Gehirn kann nicht abschalten - Was tun? In-Mind: Posteingang(10.098) - Lesen Sie die Signale, die Ihr Körper Ihnen sendet? |
REVIEW
How visual body perception influences somatosensory plasticity
Vision influences tactile processing. We here provide an overview about how viewing the body influences plasticity mechanisms in the human somatosensory cortex. 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
Vision influences tactile processing. We here provide an overview about how viewing the body influences plasticity mechanisms in the human somatosensory cortex. 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]
