Texture-induced vibrations in the forearm during tactile exploration

摘要: Humans can detect and discriminate between fine variations of surface roughness using active touch. It is hitherto believed that perception mediated mostly by cutaneous subcutaneous afferents located in the fingertips. However, recent findings have shown following abolishment afferences resulting from trauma or pharmacological intervention, ability subjects to textures was not significantly altered. These suggest somatosensory system able collect textural information other sources than fingertip afference. follows signals interaction a finger with rough must be transmitted stimulate receptor populations regions far away contact. This transmission characterized measuring wrist vibrations originating at thus propagating through finger, hand during exploration textured surfaces. The spectral analysis taking place forearm tissues revealed regularities were correlated scanned speed exploration. In case periodic textures, vibration signal contained fundamental frequency component corresponding velocity divided spatial period stimulus. regularity found for wide range length scales scanning velocities. For non-periodic spectrum did contain obvious features would enable discrimination different stimuli. both stimuli, intensity could related microgeometry