This research is concerned with investigating how the brain recognizes objects in the environment using the somatosensory tactile system. Results obtained will further our understanding of how computations are carried out in complex, cortical information- processing systems, and will contribute to the growing body of knowledge about how the brain is organized to process sensory information. The techniques used are behavioral testing, computer- assisted motion analysis and electrical recordings from single brain cells in order to investigate how mammals acquire, process and use sensory information from facial vibrissae. Previous studies have demonstrated that important similarities exist between this tactile system and use of the fingertips by humans, when they are actively touching textured surfaces.
