Changes in Somatosensory Responsiveness in Behaving Monkeys and Human Sub
Abstract
Two sets of goals were accomplished. (1) Neurophysiological studies were conducted that indicated that sensory input to primary somatosensory (SI) cortical neurons is 'gated' during behavior. This occurs in some regions of SI but not in others. Quantitative estimates of this gating under different behavioral circumstances are provided. Equations are described which predict the magnitude of the premovement activity during vibratory triggered trails from the vibratory responsiveness of the neurons and the amount of premovement activity exhibit in visually cued trails. (2) In Psychophysical studies reaction times (RTs) of monkeys and human subjects were determined for ballistic or targeted wrist flexion and extension movement made in response to visual and vibratory go-cues. The RT experiments indicated that humans and monkeys make ballistic movements more quickly (50-100 msec) in response to vibratory as compared to visual signals. Human subjects also make movements more quickly to a visual target if, in addition to target presentation, a vibratory cue is also given. The psychophysical studies suggest that there is a performance benefit in using tactile in addition to visual cues to control behavior.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 30, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA241559
Entities
People
- Randall J. Nelson
Organizations
- University of Tennessee