| Tactile perception of roughness: raised-dot spacing, density and disposition. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 19579021 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Recently, we showed that tactile speed estimates are modified by the spatial parameters of moving raised-dot surfaces, specifically dot spacing but not dot disposition (regular, irregular) or density. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which tactile roughness perception resembles tactile speed with respect to its dependence and/or independence of the spatial properties of raised-dot surfaces. Subjects scaled the roughness of surfaces displaced under the finger. Dot spacing (centre-to-centre) ranged from 1.5 to 8.5 mm in the direction of the scan (longitudinal). Mean dot density varied from 2.2 to 46.2 dots/cm2. Dot disposition was varied: repeating rows (periodic) or quasi-random (non-periodic). In the first experiment (n = 8), the periodic and non-periodic surfaces were matched for mean dot density. Roughness showed a monotonic increase with 1/dot density, but non-periodic surfaces were judged to be smoother than the periodic surfaces. Subjective equality was obtained when the data were re-expressed relative to longitudinal SP. In the second experiment (n = 7), the periodic and non-periodic surfaces were matched for longitudinal dot spacing. Perceptual equivalence was observed when the results were plotted relative to dot spacing, but not 1/dot density. Dot spacing in the orthogonal direction (transverse) was excluded as a contributing factor. Thus, as found for tactile speed scaling, roughness is critically dependent on longitudinal dot spacing, but independent of dot disposition and dot density (over much of the tested range). These results provide a set of predictions to identify cortical neurones that play critical roles in roughness appreciation. |
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Authors:
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Alexandra Dépeault; El-Mehdi Meftah; C Elaine Chapman |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Date: 2009-07-05 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Experimental brain research. Experimentelle Hirnforschung. Expérimentation cérébrale Volume: 197 ISSN: 1432-1106 ISO Abbreviation: Exp Brain Res Publication Date: 2009 Aug |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2009-07-31 Completed Date: 2009-11-13 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0043312 Medline TA: Exp Brain Res Country: Germany |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 235-44 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Groupe de recherche sur le système nerveux central, Département de Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succ. Centre-ville, Montreal, QC, H3C-3J7, Canada. |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adult Afferent Pathways / physiology Female Fingers / innervation, physiology* Humans Male Mechanoreceptors / physiology* Neuropsychological Tests Physical Stimulation Reaction Time / physiology Sensory Receptor Cells / physiology Somatosensory Cortex / physiology Time Factors Touch / physiology* Touch Perception / physiology* Young Adult |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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