The tactile perception of roughness depends on lateral movement between the skin and the surface, yet studies of the stimulus variables relevant to roughness perception have failed to find substantial evidence for temporal factors. This project asks whether the temporal frequency of a textured stimulus affects roughness perception. The hypothesis that tactile roughness perception depends partially on temporal factors will be investigated using three approaches. First, normal human volunteers will perform either of two psychophysical tasks as temporal frequency is manipulated as an independent variable. Next, the representation of stimulus frequency in somatosensory cortical neurons will be investigated. Finally, numerous studies have linked dyslexia to a mufti- modal sensory deficit specific for high-frequency information. In light of this evidence, volunteers with dyslexia will perform a psychophysical discrimination task using textured stimuli of varying frequencies. This project will contribute not only to the understanding of tactile coding of texture, but also to the understanding of sensory differences in dyslexia.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31NS042519-02
Application #
6530046
Study Section
Integrative, Functional and Cognitive Neuroscience 8 (IFCN)
Program Officer
Nichols, Paul L
Project Start
2002-09-01
Project End
Budget Start
2002-09-01
Budget End
2003-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$23,906
Indirect Cost
Name
Emory University
Department
Neurology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
042250712
City
Atlanta
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30322