Article

Mental body representations are flexible and depend on sensory signals from the
body and its surrounding. Clinical observations in amputees, paraplegics and
brain-damaged patients suggest a vestibular contribution to the body schema, but
studies using well-controlled psychophysical procedures are still lacking. In
Experiment 1, we used a tactile distance comparison task between two body
segments (hand and forehead). The results showed that objects contacting the hand
were judged longer during caloric vestibular stimulation when compared to control
thermal stimulation. In Experiment 2, participants located four anatomical
landmarks on their left hand by pointing with their right hand. The perceived
length and width of the left hand increased during caloric vestibular stimulation
with respect to a control stimulation. The results show that the body schema
temporarily adjusts as a function of vestibular signals, modifying the internal
representation of the hand size. The data provide evidence that vestibular
functions are not limited to postural and oculomotor control, and extend the
contribution of the vestibular system to bodily cognition. The findings from this
study suggest the inclusion of vestibular signals into current models of body
representations and bodily self-consciousness.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS