Document Detail


Functional inhibition of the human middle temporal cortex affects non-visual motion perception: a repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation study during tactile speed discrimination.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21321310     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The visual motion-responsive middle temporal complex (hMT+) is activated during tactile and aural motion discrimination in both sighted and congenitally blind individuals, suggesting a supramodal organization of this area. Specifically, non-visual motion processing has been found to activate the more anterior portion of the hMT+. In the present study, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) was used to determine whether this more anterior portion of hMT+ truly plays a functional role in tactile motion processing. Sixteen blindfolded, young, healthy volunteers were asked to detect changes in the rotation velocity of a random Braille-like dot pattern by using the index or middle finger of their right hand. rTMS was applied for 600 ms (10 Hz, 110% motor threshold), 200 ms after the stimulus onset with a figure-of-eight coil over either the anterior portion of hMT+ or a midline parieto-occipital site (as a control). Accuracy and reaction times were significantly impaired only when TMS was applied on hMT+, but not on the control area. These results indicate that the recruitment of hMT+ is necessary for tactile motion processing, and thus corroborate the hypothesis of a 'supramodal' functional organization for this sensory motion processing area.
Authors:
Emiliano Ricciardi; Demis Basso; Lorenzo Sani; Daniela Bonino; Tomaso Vecchi; Pietro Pietrini; Carlo Miniussi
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.)     Volume:  236     ISSN:  1535-3699     ISO Abbreviation:  Exp. Biol. Med. (Maywood)     Publication Date:  2011 Feb 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-02-15     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  100973463     Medline TA:  Exp Biol Med (Maywood)     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  138-44     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Experimental Pathology, BMIE, University of Pisa Medical School, 56126 Pisa.
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