Somatosensory integration in the Secondary Somatosensory Cortex and its role in the formation of self-body consciousness

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K15944
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 46030:Function of nervous system-related
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: BretasVieira Rafael 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 生命機能科学研究センター, 研究員 (70831907)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: secondary somatosensory / s2 / sii / consciousness / macaque / monkey / mirror / self recognition

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this experiment we checked how neurons responded to the self-image in a mirror in macaque monkeys. We recorded a brain region called Secondary Somatosensory Cortex, which function is still not well known. Neurons in this region respond to both touch and visual stimuli, so we stimulated the monkey by touch in front of a mirror.

We found neuronal responses to both touch and vision when the experimenter's hand or an object approached the monkey, even without touching the animal. These responses happened also when the monkey could not directly see the stimuli, but only the mirror image. These results agree with previous studies showing that vision is also an important feature in these mostly touch-related areas. Responses to stimulation to the monkey's own body seen in the mirror also show direct neuronal evidence that macaque are able to recognize their own image in a mirror.

Free Research Field

Neuroscience

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

This study show neurophysiological evidence of mirror self-recognition that complements previous behavioral studies. These results are important for understanding body-perception psychological disorders and how the concept of a self-body is formed in the brai, a pre-requisite for consciousness.