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Castellani N, Federici A, Fantoni M, Ricciardi E, Garbarini F, Bottari D. Brain Encoding of Naturalistic, Continuous, and Unpredictable Tactile Events. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0238-24.2024. [PMID: 39266328 PMCID: PMC11429829 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0238-24.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Studies employing EEG to measure somatosensory responses have been typically optimized to compute event-related potentials in response to discrete events. However, tactile interactions involve continuous processing of nonstationary inputs that change in location, duration, and intensity. To fill this gap, this study aims to demonstrate the possibility of measuring the neural tracking of continuous and unpredictable tactile information. Twenty-seven young adults (females, 15) were continuously and passively stimulated with a random series of gentle brushes on single fingers of each hand, which were covered from view. Thus, tactile stimulations were unique for each participant and stimulated fingers. An encoding model measured the degree of synchronization between brain activity and continuous tactile input, generating a temporal response function (TRF). Brain topographies associated with the encoding of each finger stimulation showed a contralateral response at central sensors starting at 50 ms and peaking at ∼140 ms of lag, followed by a bilateral response at ∼240 ms. A series of analyses highlighted that reliable tactile TRF emerged after just 3 min of stimulation. Strikingly, topographical patterns of the TRF allowed discriminating digit lateralization across hands and digit representation within each hand. Our results demonstrated for the first time the possibility of using EEG to measure the neural tracking of a naturalistic, continuous, and unpredictable stimulation in the somatosensory domain. Crucially, this approach allows the study of brain activity following individualized, idiosyncratic tactile events to the fingers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Castellani
- MoMiLab, IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, Lucca 55100, Italy
- Manibus Lab, University of Turin, Turin 10124, Italy
| | | | - Marta Fantoni
- MoMiLab, IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, Lucca 55100, Italy
| | | | | | - Davide Bottari
- MoMiLab, IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, Lucca 55100, Italy
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Crasta JE, Green OJ, Gavin WJ, Davies PL. The Relationship Between Attention, Sensory Processing, and Social Responsiveness Among Adults on the Autism Spectrum. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:2972-2986. [PMID: 37270447 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-06019-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated attention, sensory processing, and social responsiveness and the relationship between these constructs among autistic and neurotypical adults. Participants included 24 autistic adults (17-30 years) and 24 neurotypical peers who completed the Test of Everyday Attention, Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP), and the Social Responsiveness Scale-2. Autistic individuals showed greater attention, sensory processing, and social responsiveness challenges compared to neurotypical peers. Using mediation models, we showed that the relationship between attention and social responsiveness was mediated by sensory processing, specifically the low registration and sensation-seeking AASP quadrants. The relationship between attention, sensory processing, and social responsiveness suggests that adults with greater attention issues may have greater sensory and social challenges. Specifically, having poor attention may lead to poor sensory processing skills which compound poor social responsiveness. Understanding the relationships between these domains is critical for developing effective interventions and support for autistic adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jewel Elias Crasta
- Occupational Therapy Division, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Olivia J Green
- Occupational Therapy Division, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - William J Gavin
- Molecular, Cellular, Integrated Neuroscience Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Patricia L Davies
- Molecular, Cellular, Integrated Neuroscience Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
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Charbonneau JA, Santistevan AC, Raven EP, Bennett JL, Russ BE, Bliss-Moreau E. Evolutionarily conserved neural responses to affective touch in monkeys transcend consciousness and change with age. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2322157121. [PMID: 38648473 PMCID: PMC11067024 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2322157121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Affective touch-a slow, gentle, and pleasant form of touch-activates a different neural network than which is activated during discriminative touch in humans. Affective touch perception is enabled by specialized low-threshold mechanoreceptors in the skin with unmyelinated fibers called C tactile (CT) afferents. These CT afferents are conserved across mammalian species, including macaque monkeys. However, it is unknown whether the neural representation of affective touch is the same across species and whether affective touch's capacity to activate the hubs of the brain that compute socioaffective information requires conscious perception. Here, we used functional MRI to assess the preferential activation of neural hubs by slow (affective) vs. fast (discriminative) touch in anesthetized rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). The insula, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), amygdala, and secondary somatosensory cortex were all significantly more active during slow touch relative to fast touch, suggesting homologous activation of the interoceptive-allostatic network across primate species during affective touch. Further, we found that neural responses to affective vs. discriminative touch in the insula and ACC (the primary cortical hubs for interoceptive processing) changed significantly with age. Insula and ACC in younger animals differentiated between slow and fast touch, while activity was comparable between conditions for aged monkeys (equivalent to >70 y in humans). These results, together with prior studies establishing conserved peripheral nervous system mechanisms of affective touch transduction, suggest that neural responses to affective touch are evolutionarily conserved in monkeys, significantly impacted in old age, and do not necessitate conscious experience of touch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joey A. Charbonneau
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Davis, CA95616
- Neuroscience and Behavior Unit, California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA95616
| | - Anthony C. Santistevan
- Neuroscience and Behavior Unit, California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA95616
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA95616
| | - Erika P. Raven
- Department of Radiology, Center for Biomedical Imaging, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY10016
| | - Jeffrey L. Bennett
- Neuroscience and Behavior Unit, California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA95616
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA95616
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA95817
- The Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, University of California, Sacramento, CA95817
| | - Brian E. Russ
- Center for Biomedical Imaging and Neuromodulation, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY10962
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone, New York, NY10016
| | - Eliza Bliss-Moreau
- Neuroscience and Behavior Unit, California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA95616
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA95616
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Bellard A, Trotter PD, McGlone FL, Cazzato V. Role of medial prefrontal cortex and primary somatosensory cortex in self and other-directed vicarious social touch: a TMS study. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2023; 18:nsad060. [PMID: 37837378 PMCID: PMC10640852 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsad060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Conflicting evidence points to the contribution of several key nodes of the 'social brain' to the processing of both discriminatory and affective qualities of interpersonal touch. Whether the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), two brain areas vital for tactile mirroring and affective mentalizing, play a functional role in shared representations of C-tactile (CT) targeted affective touch is still a matter of debate. Here, we used offline continuous theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (cTBS) to mPFC, S1 and vertex (control) prior to participants providing ratings of vicarious touch pleasantness for self and others delivered across several body sites at CT-targeted velocities. We found that S1-cTBS led to a significant increase in touch ratings to the self, with this effect being positively associated to levels of interoceptive awareness. Conversely, mPFC-cTBS reduced pleasantness ratings for touch to another person. These effects were not specific for CT-optimal (slow) stroking velocities, but rather they applied to all types of social touch. Overall, our findings challenge the causal role of the S1 and mPFC in vicarious affective touch and suggest that self- vs other-directed vicarious touch responses might crucially depend on the specific involvement of key social networks in gentle tactile interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashleigh Bellard
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Paula D Trotter
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Francis L McGlone
- Institute of Psychology, Health & Society, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Valentina Cazzato
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
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Nicolardi V, Fanizza I, Accogli G, Macchitella L, Scoditti S, Trabacca A. Pain assessment in autism: updating the ethical and methodological challenges through a state-of-the-art review. Neurol Sci 2023; 44:3853-3861. [PMID: 37436557 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-06942-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Sensory features of autism include hypo- or hyper-reactivity to pain; however, previous studies on pain in autism lead to conflicting results. Here, we present the state of the art and the methodological challenges concerning pain perception in autism, focusing on studies that used standardized protocol as Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) to measure perception. Despite there are still scant evidences found with the use of QST, they have challenged the presumed hyposensitivity to pain in autisms, which emerged from parents' reports. Both, peripheral and central mechanisms, have been found involved in typical features of perception in autism. Nonetheless, evidences with controlled protocols are still scarce, and even scarcer are studies focused on children. Overall, complex ethical challenges have to be overcome in order to collect subjective and objective measures from autistic children. With heterogeneous neurodevelopmental features, or intellectual disability, novel or modified protocols are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Nicolardi
- Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults (Developmental Neurology and Neurorehabilitation), Scientific Institute IRCCS "E. Medea", Ex Complesso Ospedaliero "A. Di Summa" - Piazza "A. Di Summa", 72100, Brindisi, Italy
| | - Isabella Fanizza
- Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults (Developmental Neurology and Neurorehabilitation), Scientific Institute IRCCS "E. Medea", Ex Complesso Ospedaliero "A. Di Summa" - Piazza "A. Di Summa", 72100, Brindisi, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Accogli
- Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults (Developmental Neurology and Neurorehabilitation), Scientific Institute IRCCS "E. Medea", Ex Complesso Ospedaliero "A. Di Summa" - Piazza "A. Di Summa", 72100, Brindisi, Italy
| | - Luigi Macchitella
- Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults (Developmental Neurology and Neurorehabilitation), Scientific Institute IRCCS "E. Medea", Ex Complesso Ospedaliero "A. Di Summa" - Piazza "A. Di Summa", 72100, Brindisi, Italy
| | - Sara Scoditti
- Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults (Developmental Neurology and Neurorehabilitation), Scientific Institute IRCCS "E. Medea", Ex Complesso Ospedaliero "A. Di Summa" - Piazza "A. Di Summa", 72100, Brindisi, Italy
| | - Antonio Trabacca
- Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults (Developmental Neurology and Neurorehabilitation), Scientific Institute IRCCS "E. Medea", Ex Complesso Ospedaliero "A. Di Summa" - Piazza "A. Di Summa", 72100, Brindisi, Italy.
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Bang P, Igelström K. Modality-specific associations between sensory differences and autistic traits. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2023; 27:2158-2172. [PMID: 36802917 PMCID: PMC10504810 DOI: 10.1177/13623613231154349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Sensory symptoms are a major source of distress for many autistic people, causing anxiety, stress, and avoidance. Sensory problems are thought to be passed on genetically together with other autistic characteristics, such as social preferences. This means that people who report cognitive rigidity and autistic-like social function are more likely to suffer from sensory issues. We do not know what role the individual senses, such as vision, hearing, smell, or touch, play in this relationship, because sensory processing is generally measured with questionnaires that target general, multisensory issues. This study aimed to investigate the individual importance of the different senses (vision, hearing, touch, smell, taste, balance, and proprioception) in the correlation with autistic traits. To ensure the results were replicable, we repeated the experiment in two large groups of adults. The first group contained 40% autistic participants, whereas the second group resembled the general population. We found that problems with auditory processing were more strongly predictive of general autistic characteristics than were problems with the other senses. Problems with touch were specifically related to differences in social interaction, such as avoiding social settings. We also found a specific relationship between proprioceptive differences and autistic-like communication preferences. The sensory questionnaire had limited reliability, so our results may underestimate the contribution of some senses. With that reservation in mind, we conclude that auditory differences are dominant over other modalities in predicting genetically based autistic traits and may therefore be of special interest for further genetic and neurobiological studies.
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Mayorova L, Portnova G, Skorokhodov I. Cortical Response Variation with Social and Non-Social Affective Touch Processing in the Glabrous and Hairy Skin of the Leg: A Pilot fMRI Study. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:7881. [PMID: 37765936 PMCID: PMC10538157 DOI: 10.3390/s23187881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Despite the crucial role of touch in social development and its importance for social interactions, there has been very little functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) research on brain mechanisms underlying social touch processing. Moreover, there has been very little research on the perception of social touch in the lower extremities in humans, even though this information could expand our understanding of the mechanisms of the c-tactile system. Here, variations in the neural response to stimulation by social and non-social affective leg touch were investigated using fMRI. Participants were subjected to slow a (at 3-5 cm/s) stroking social touch (hand, skin-to-skin) and a non-social touch (peacock feather) to the hairy skin of the shin and to the glabrous skin of the foot sole. Stimulation of the glabrous skin of the foot sole, regardless of the type of stimulus, elicited a much more widespread cortical response, including structures such as the medial segment of precentral gyri, left precentral gyrus, bilateral putamen, anterior insula, left postcentral gyrus, right thalamus, and pallidum. Stimulation of the hairy skin of the shin elicited a relatively greater response in the left middle cingulate gyrus, left angular gyrus, left frontal eye field, bilateral anterior prefrontal cortex, and left frontal pole. Activation of brain structures, some of which belong to the "social brain"-the pre- and postcentral gyri bilaterally, superior and middle occipital gyri bilaterally, left middle and superior temporal gyri, right anterior cingulate gyrus and caudate, left middle and inferior frontal gyri, and left lateral ventricle area, was associated with the perception of non-social stimuli in the leg. The left medial segment of pre- and postcentral gyri, left postcentral gyrus and precuneus, bilateral parietal operculum, right planum temporale, left central operculum, and left thalamus proper showed greater activation for social tactile touch. There are regions in the cerebral cortex that responded specifically to hand and feather touch in the foot sole region. These areas included the posterior insula, precentral gyrus; putamen, pallidum and anterior insula; superior parietal cortex; transverse temporal gyrus and parietal operculum, supramarginal gyrus and planum temporale. Subjective assessment of stimulus ticklishness was related to activation of the left cuneal region. Our results make some contribution to understanding the physiology of the perception of social and non-social tactile stimuli and the CT system, including its evolution, and they have clinical impact in terms of environmental enrichment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larisa Mayorova
- Laboratory of Physiology of Sensory Systems, Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of Russian Academy of Science, 117485 Moscow, Russia
- Laboratory for the Study of Tactile Communication, Pushkin State Russian Language Institute, 117485 Moscow, Russia
| | - Galina Portnova
- Laboratory for the Study of Tactile Communication, Pushkin State Russian Language Institute, 117485 Moscow, Russia
- Laboratory of Human Higher Nervous Activity, Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of Russian Academy of Science, 117485 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ivan Skorokhodov
- Laboratory for the Study of Tactile Communication, Pushkin State Russian Language Institute, 117485 Moscow, Russia
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de Jong JR, Dijkerman HC, Keizer A. Autistic Traits Related to the Importance of Interpersonal Touch and Appreciation of Observed Touch during COVID-19 Social Distancing. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6738. [PMID: 37754599 PMCID: PMC10531349 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20186738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Studies have confirmed the significance of touch for psychological wellbeing. Social distancing regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic reduced people's ability to engage in interpersonal touch and caused increased an appreciation for observed touch, as well as a longing for touch within the neurotypical population. Yet, while the impact of social distancing and the importance of touch are evident in neurotypical individuals, it remains unclear how these factors manifest in autistic individuals. Previous research has related high levels of autistic traits to reduced levels of perceived pleasantness of touch and a reduced interest in interpersonal touch. Our study aimed to examine the differences in the appreciation of observed touch and longing for touch during social distancing between individuals with low and high levels of autistic traits. We conducted an online survey on autistic traits, the appreciation of observed CT-optimal touch and longing for touch. Consistent with our predictions, our results confirmed that individuals with high levels of autistic traits evaluated videos depicting CT-optimal touch less favorably compared to those with lower scores on autistic traits. Additionally, only the group with low levels of autistic traits exhibited a longing for touch during social distancing, whereas the group with high levels of autistic traits did not. The results provide insights in the appreciation of touch in relation to autistic traits during the unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jutta R. de Jong
- Experimental Psychology/Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, The Netherlands; (H.C.D.); (A.K.)
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Tagini S, Scacchi M, Mauro A, Scarpina F. The perception of affective touch in women affected by obesity. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1171070. [PMID: 37701865 PMCID: PMC10493281 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1171070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pleasant and comforting bodily contacts characterized intimate and affective interactions. Affective touch informs us about others' emotions and intentions, sustains intimacy and closeness, protecting from loneliness and psychological distress. Previous evidence points to an altered experience of affective touch in clinical populations reporting interpersonal difficulties. However, there is no investigation of affective touch in obesity, which is often associated with negative affective-relational experiences since childhood. Methods This study aimed to provide the first evidence about the experience of affective touch in obesity by comparing 14 women with obesity with 14 women with healthy weight. Participants rated the pleasantness of both imagined and actual tactile stimuli, which consisted of (i) soft-brush strokes, (ii) touches of the experimenter's hand, and (iii) of a plastic stick (as control, non-affective, stimulation). Participants should report the pleasantness of each kind of touch. Moreover, we explored lifespan experiences of affective touch and interpersonal pleasure in social contexts through self-report questionnaires. Results No differences emerged for the pleasantness of affective touch (in both the real and imagery task) between the two groups. However, participants with obesity reported less frequent and less satisfying early experiences of affective touch when compared with the controls. Discussion Our results spoke in favor of a preserved experience of affective touch when experimentally probed in obesity, despite a limited early exposure to bodily affective contacts. We interpreted our results in the light of the social reconnection hypothesis. Nevertheless, we provided crucial methodological considerations for future research, considering that both the experimenter's and the brush touch may not resemble adequately real-life experiences, in which affective touch involves intimate people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Tagini
- “Rita Levi Montalcini” Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, I.R.C.C.S., U.O. di Neurologia e Neuroriabilitazione, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo, Italy
| | - Massimo Scacchi
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, I.R.C.C.S., U.O. Medicina Generale, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mauro
- “Rita Levi Montalcini” Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, I.R.C.C.S., U.O. di Neurologia e Neuroriabilitazione, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo, Italy
| | - Federica Scarpina
- “Rita Levi Montalcini” Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, I.R.C.C.S., U.O. di Neurologia e Neuroriabilitazione, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo, Italy
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Khan A, Kamal M, Alhothi A, Gad H, Adan MA, Ponirakis G, Petropoulos IN, Malik RA. Corneal confocal microscopy demonstrates sensory nerve loss in children with autism spectrum disorder. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288399. [PMID: 37437060 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by difficulty in communication and interaction with others. Postmortem studies have shown cerebral neuronal loss and neuroimaging studies show neuronal loss in the amygdala, cerebellum and inter-hemispheric regions of the brain. Recent studies have shown altered tactile discrimination and allodynia on the face, mouth, hands and feet and intraepidermal nerve fiber loss in the legs of subjects with ASD. Fifteen children with ASD (age: 12.00 ± 3.55 years) and twenty age-matched healthy controls (age: 12.83 ± 1.91 years) underwent corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) and quantification of corneal nerve fiber morphology. Corneal nerve fibre density (fibers/mm2) (28.61 ± 5.74 vs. 40.42 ± 8.95, p = 0.000), corneal nerve fibre length (mm/mm2) (16.61 ± 3.26 vs. 21.44 ± 4.44, p = 0.001), corneal nerve branch density (branches/mm2) (43.68 ± 22.71 vs. 62.39 ± 21.58, p = 0.018) and corneal nerve fibre tortuosity (0.037 ± 0.023 vs. 0.074 ± 0.017, p = 0.000) were significantly lower and inferior whorl length (mm/mm2) (21.06 ± 6.12 vs. 23.43 ± 3.95, p = 0.255) was comparable in children with ASD compared to controls. CCM identifies central corneal nerve fiber loss in children with ASD. These findings, urge the need for larger longitudinal studies to determine the utility of CCM as an imaging biomarker for neuronal loss in different subtypes of ASD and in relation to disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adnan Khan
- Research Division, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Madeeha Kamal
- Department of Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Abdula Alhothi
- Department of Pediatrics, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hoda Gad
- Research Division, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Marian A Adan
- Department of Pediatrics, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | | | | | - Rayaz A Malik
- Research Division, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
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Landsman ZT, Kao AR, Gerling GJ. Human-Delivered Brushstroke Characterization using an Instrumented Brush Focused on Torque. WORLD HAPTICS CONFERENCE. WORLD HAPTICS CONFERENCE 2023; 2023:85-92. [PMID: 38618516 PMCID: PMC11015477 DOI: 10.1109/whc56415.2023.10224489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Pleasant brush therapies may benefit those with autism, trauma, and anxiety. While studies monitor brushing velocity, hand-delivery of brush strokes introduces variability. Detailed measurements of human-delivered brushing physics may help understand such variability and subsequent impact on receivers' perceived pleasantness. Herein, we instrument a brush with multi-axis force and displacement sensors to measure their physics as 12 participants pleasantly stroke a receiver's forearm. Algorithmic procedures identify skin contact, and define four stages of arrival, stroke, departure, and airtime between strokes. Torque magnitude, rather than force, is evaluated as a metric to minimize inertial noise, as it registers brush bend and orientation. Overall, the results of the naturally delivered brushing experiments indicate force and velocity values in the range of 0.4 N and 3-10 cm/s, in alignment with prior work. However, we observe significant variance between brushers across velocity, force, torque, and brushstroke length. Upon further analysis, torque and force measures are correlated, yet torque provides distinct information from velocity. In evaluating the receiver's response to individual differences between brushers of the preliminary case study, higher pleasantness is tied to lower mean torque, and lower instantaneous variance over the stroke duration. Torque magnitude appears to complement velocity's influence on perceived pleasantness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anika R Kao
- University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA
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Ali SH, Makdani AD, Cordero MI, Paltoglou AE, Marshall AG, McFarquhar MJ, McGlone FP, Walker SC, Trotter PD. Hold me or stroke me? Individual differences in static and dynamic affective touch. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281253. [PMID: 37220110 PMCID: PMC10204953 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Low-threshold mechanosensory C-fibres, C-tactile afferents (CTs), respond optimally to sensations associated with a human caress. Additionally, CT-stimulation activates brain regions associated with processing affective states. This evidence has led to the social touch hypothesis, that CTs have a key role in encoding the affective properties of social touch. Thus, to date, the affective touch literature has focussed on gentle stroking touch. However, social touch interactions involve many touch types, including static, higher force touch such as hugging and holding. This study aimed to broaden our understanding of the social touch hypothesis by investigating relative preference for static vs dynamic touch and the influence of force on these preferences. Additionally, as recent literature has highlighted individual differences in CT-touch sensitivity, this study investigated the influence of affective touch experiences and attitudes, autistic traits, depressive symptomology and perceived stress on CT-touch sensitivity. Directly experienced, robotic touch responses were obtained through a lab-based study and vicarious touch responses through an online study where participants rated affective touch videos. Individual differences were determined by self-report questionnaire measures. In general, static touch was preferred over CT-non-optimal stroking touch, however, consistent with previous reports, CT-optimal stroking (velocity 1-10 cm/s) was rated most pleasant. However, static and CT-optimal vicarious touch were rated comparably for dorsal hand touch. For all velocities, 0.4N was preferred over 0.05N and 1.5N robotic touch. Participant dynamic touch quadratic terms were calculated for robotic and vicarious touch as a proxy CT-sensitivity measure. Attitudes to intimate touch significantly predict robotic and vicarious quadratic terms, as well as vicarious static dorsal hand touch ratings. Perceived stress negatively predicted robotic static touch ratings. This study has identified individual difference predictors of CT-touch sensitivity. Additionally, it has highlighted the context dependence of affective touch responses and the need to consider static, as well as dynamic affective touch.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Hasan Ali
- Institute of Population Health, Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Adarsh D. Makdani
- Research Centre for Brain & Behaviour, School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Maria I. Cordero
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Aspasia E. Paltoglou
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew G. Marshall
- Institute of Life Course and Medicine Sciences, Pain Research Institute, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Martyn J. McFarquhar
- Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Francis P. McGlone
- Institute of Population Health, Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Research Centre for Brain & Behaviour, School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Susannah C. Walker
- Research Centre for Brain & Behaviour, School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Paula D. Trotter
- Research Centre for Brain & Behaviour, School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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13
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Handlin L, Novembre G, Lindholm H, Kämpe R, Paul E, Morrison I. Human endogenous oxytocin and its neural correlates show adaptive responses to social touch based on recent social context. eLife 2023; 12:81197. [PMID: 37157840 PMCID: PMC10168694 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Both oxytocin (OT) and touch are key mediators of social attachment. In rodents, tactile stimulation elicits the endogenous release of OT, potentially facilitating attachment and other forms of prosocial behavior, yet the relationship between endogenous OT and neural modulation remains unexplored in humans. Using a serial sampling of plasma hormone levels during functional neuroimaging across two successive social interactions, we show that contextual circumstances of social touch influence not only current hormonal and brain responses but also later responses. Namely, touch from a male to his female romantic partner enhanced her subsequent OT release for touch from an unfamiliar stranger, yet females' OT responses to partner touch were dampened following stranger touch. Hypothalamus and dorsal raphe activation reflected plasma OT changes during the initial social interaction. In the subsequent interaction, precuneus and parietal-temporal cortex pathways tracked time- and context-dependent variables in an OT-dependent manner. This OT-dependent cortical modulation included a region of the medial prefrontal cortex that also covaried with plasma cortisol, suggesting an influence on stress responses. These findings demonstrate that modulation between hormones and the brain during human social interactions can flexibly adapt to features of social context over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Handlin
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden
| | - Giovanni Novembre
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Helene Lindholm
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden
| | - Robin Kämpe
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV) Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Elisabeth Paul
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV) Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - India Morrison
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV) Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden
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Mariani Wigley ILC, Mascheroni E, Pastore M, Bonichini S, Montirosso R. Exploring maternal touch in the infant’s first 18 months of Life: A study on an Italian sample. Infant Behav Dev 2023; 71:101836. [PMID: 36990018 DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2023.101836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Affective touch is a crucial component of caregiving in early life and constitutes a key factor with a significant impact on infant later-life outcomes. The Parent-Infant Caregiving Touch Scale (PICTS) allows to quantify and qualify the caregiver's self-perception of touch in the first months of an infant's life. In the current study, we contributed to validation of the PICTS in the Italian language in order to explore whether early maternal touch would be associated with maternal emotional state, maternal history of affective touch experiences throughout the lifespan, and infants' sex and age. Data analyses were run on a sample of 377 Italian mothers (mean age = 33.29; SD = 4.79) participating in an online survey. Confirmatory factor analysis was applied. A three-dimensional structure of PICTS (i.e., stroking, affective communication, and holding) after removing one item out resulted in the best model in our sample. Maternal emotional state did not affect PICTS factor scores while maternal comfort and amount of affective touch experienced during adulthood was significantly associated with the stroking, affective communication, and holding factors. Regarding infants' dimensions, infants' sex and age were not associated with PICTS factor scores. Findings suggest that the PICTS Italian version is a good measurement of caregiver's self-perception of touch in early infancy and that maternal history of touch is associated with a mother's current use of touch.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eleonora Mascheroni
- 0-3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy.
| | - Massimiliano Pastore
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Sabrina Bonichini
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Rosario Montirosso
- 0-3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
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15
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Marschallek BE, Löw A, Jacobsen T. You can touch this! Brain correlates of aesthetic processing of active fingertip exploration of material surfaces. Neuropsychologia 2023; 182:108520. [PMID: 36813106 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2023.108520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
The haptic exploration and aesthetic processing of all kinds of materials' surfaces are part of everyday life. In the present study, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to investigate the brain correlates of active fingertip exploration of material surfaces and subsequent aesthetic judgments of their pleasantness (feels good or bad?). In absence of other sensory modalities, individuals (n = 21) performed lateral movements on a total of 48 textile and wood surfaces varying in terms of their roughness. Behavioral results confirmed the influence of the stimuli's roughness on aesthetic judgments, with smoother textures being rated as feeling better than rough textures. At the neural level, fNIRS activation results revealed an overall increased engagement of the contralateral sensorimotor areas as well as left prefrontal areas. Moreover, the perceived pleasantness modulated specific activations of left prefrontal areas with increasing pleasantness showing greater activations of these regions. Interestingly, this positive relationship between the individual aesthetic judgments and brain activity was most pronounced for smooth woods. These results demonstrate that positively valenced touch by actively exploring material surfaces is linked to left prefrontal activity and extend previous findings of affective touch underlying passive movements on hairy skin. We suggest that fNIRS can be a valuable tool to provide new insights in the field of experimental aesthetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara E Marschallek
- Experimental Psychology Unit, Helmut Schmidt University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg, Postbox 700822, 22008, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Andreas Löw
- Experimental Psychology Unit, Helmut Schmidt University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg, Postbox 700822, 22008, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Thomas Jacobsen
- Experimental Psychology Unit, Helmut Schmidt University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg, Postbox 700822, 22008, Hamburg, Germany.
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Atypical Response to Affective Touch in Children with Autism: Multi-Parametric Exploration of the Autonomic System. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11237146. [PMID: 36498717 PMCID: PMC9737198 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11237146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed at evaluating the autonomic response to pleasant affective touch in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and age-matched typically developing (TD) peers, thanks to multiple autonomic nervous system (ANS) parameters and by contrasting CT (C-tactile fibers) high- vs. low-density territory stimulations. We measured pupil diameter, skin conductance, and heart rate during gentle stroking of two skin territories (CT high- and low-density, respectively, forearm and palm of the hand) in thirty 6-12-year-old TD children and twenty ASD children. TD children showed an increase in pupil diameter and skin conductance associated with a heart rate deceleration in response to tactile stimulations at the two locations. Only the pupil was influenced by the stimulated location, with a later dilation peak following CT low-density territory stimulation. Globally, ASD children exhibited reduced autonomic responses, as well as different ANS baseline values compared to TD children. These atypical ANS responses to pleasant touch in ASD children were not specific to CT-fiber stimulation. Overall, these results point towards both basal autonomic dysregulation and lower tactile autonomic evoked responses in ASD, possibly reflecting lower arousal and related to social disengagement.
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17
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Frost-Karlsson M, Capusan AJ, Perini I, Olausson H, Zetterqvist M, Gustafsson PA, Boehme R. Neural processing of self-touch and other-touch in anorexia nervosa and autism spectrum condition. Neuroimage Clin 2022; 36:103264. [PMID: 36451367 PMCID: PMC9668667 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The tactile sense plays a crucial role in the development and maintenance of a functional bodily self. The ability to differentiate between self- and nonself-generated touch contributes to the perception of the bodies' boundaries and more generally to self-other-distinction, both of which are thought be altered in anorexia nervosa (AN) and autism spectrum condition (AS). While it has been suggested that AN and AS are characterized by overlapping symptomatology, they might differ regarding body perception and self-other-distinction. METHODS Participants with a diagnosis of AN (n = 25), AS (n = 29), and a comparison group without diagnoses (n = 57) performed a self-other-touch task during functional brain imaging. In the experimental conditions, they stroked their own arm or were stroked on the arm by an experimenter. RESULTS As shown previously, the CG group showed lower activation or deactivation in response to self-touch compared to social touch from someone else. A main group effect was found in areas including somatosensory cortex, frontal and temporal gyri, insula, and subcortical regions. This was driven by increased activations in participants with AN, while participants in the AS group showed mostly comparable activations to the comparison group. CONCLUSIONS AN diagnosis was associated with an increased neural activity in response to both self-touch and social touch. Failure to attenuate self-touch might relate to altered predictions regarding the own body and reduced perception of bodily boundaries. Participants with an AS diagnosis were mostly comparable to the comparison group, potentially indicating unaltered tactile self-other-distinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Frost-Karlsson
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 58185 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Andrea Johansson Capusan
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 58185 Linköping, Sweden,Department of Psychiatry in Linköping and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 58185 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Irene Perini
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 58185 Linköping, Sweden,Center for Medical Imaging and Visualization, Linköping University, 58185 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Håkan Olausson
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 58185 Linköping, Sweden,Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Linköping University Hospital, 58185 Linköping, Sweden,Center for Medical Imaging and Visualization, Linköping University, 58185 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Maria Zetterqvist
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 58185 Linköping, Sweden,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Linköping and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 58185 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Per A. Gustafsson
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 58185 Linköping, Sweden,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Linköping and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 58185 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Rebecca Boehme
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 58185 Linköping, Sweden,Center for Medical Imaging and Visualization, Linköping University, 58185 Linköping, Sweden,Corresponding author at: Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, The Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, S-581 83 Linköping, Sweden.
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18
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Mariani Wigley ILC, Pastore M, Mascheroni E, Tremolada M, Bonichini S, Montirosso R. Tactile Biography Questionnaire: A contribution to its validation in an Italian sample. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274477. [PMID: 36107821 PMCID: PMC9477375 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
As the interest in the beneficial effects of positive touch experiences is rapidly growing, having reliable and valid tools to its assessment is essential. The Tactile Biography Questionnaire (TBQ) allows to quantify individual differences in affective touch experiences throughout life. The aim of this article is to present a contribution to its validation in the Italian population. Data analysis were run on a sample of 2040 Italian individuals (Females = 1342, 64%) participating in an on-line survey. Confirmatory Factor Analysis and invariance analyses for gender were applied. Concurrent validity was checked using two specific subscales of the Touch Avoidance Questionnaire (TAQ—i.e., Family and Stranger). The four-dimensional structure of the TBQ was confirmed in the overall sample and by gender. Also, the TBQ showed an excellent internal consistency and a good concurrent validity with TAQ. The present study suggests that the TBQ can be used to support healthcare professionals and researchers to assess experiences of affective touch in different settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Massimiliano Pastore
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Eleonora Mascheroni
- 0–3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Marta Tremolada
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Sabrina Bonichini
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Rosario Montirosso
- 0–3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
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19
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Imado E, Sun S, Abawa AR, Tahara T, Kochi T, Huynh TNB, Asano S, Hasebe S, Nakamura Y, Hisaoka-Nakashima K, Kotake Y, Irifune M, Tsuga K, Takuma K, Morioka N, Kiguchi N, Ago Y. Prenatal exposure to valproic acid causes allodynia associated with spinal microglial activation. Neurochem Int 2022; 160:105415. [PMID: 36027995 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2022.105415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and social interaction and the presence of restricted, repetitive behaviors. Additionally, difficulties in sensory processing commonly occur in ASD. Sensory abnormalities include heightened or reduced sensitivity to pain, but the mechanism underlying sensory phenotypes in ASD remain unknown. Emerging evidence suggests that microglia play an important role in forming and refining neuronal circuitry, and thus contribute to neuronal plasticity and nociceptive signaling. In the present study, we investigated the age-dependent tactile sensitivity in an animal model of ASD induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) and subsequently assessed the involvement of microglia in the spinal cord in pain processing. Pregnant ICR (CD1) mice were intraperitoneally injected with either saline or VPA (500 mg/kg) on embryonic day 12.5. Male offspring of VPA-treated mothers showed mechanical allodynia at both 4 and 8 weeks of age. In the spinal cord dorsal horn in prenatally VPA-treated mice, the numbers and staining intensities of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1-positive cells were increased and the cell bodies became enlarged, indicating microglial activation. Treatment with PLX3397, a colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibitor, for 10 days resulted in a decreased number of spinal microglia and attenuated mechanical allodynia in adult mice prenatally exposed to VPA. Additionally, intrathecal injection of Mac-1-saporin, a saporin-conjugated anti-CD11b antibody to deplete microglia, abolished mechanical allodynia. These findings suggest that prenatal VPA treatment causes allodynia and that spinal microglia contribute to the increased nociceptive responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiji Imado
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan; Department of Dental Anesthesiology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
| | - Samnang Sun
- School of Dentistry, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan; Faculty of Odonto-Stomatology, University of Health Sciences, #73, Monivong Blvd., Sangkat Sras Chak, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh, 12201, Cambodia
| | - Abrar Rizal Abawa
- School of Dentistry, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan; Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Jl. Mayjen Prof. Dr. Moestopo No. 47, Surabaya, East Java, 60132, Indonesia
| | - Takeru Tahara
- Department of Neurochemistry and Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
| | - Takahiro Kochi
- Department of Dental Anesthesiology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
| | - Tran Ngoc Bao Huynh
- School of Dentistry, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan; Faculty of Odonto-Stomatology, Hong Bang International University, 215 Dien Bien Phu Street, Ward 15, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Satoshi Asano
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan; School of Dentistry, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
| | - Shigeru Hasebe
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yoki Nakamura
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
| | - Kazue Hisaoka-Nakashima
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
| | - Yaichiro Kotake
- Department of Neurochemistry and Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
| | - Masahiro Irifune
- Department of Dental Anesthesiology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan; School of Dentistry, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Tsuga
- School of Dentistry, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan; Department of Advanced Prosthodontics, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Takuma
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan; Molecular Research Center for Children's Mental Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Norimitsu Morioka
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
| | - Norikazu Kiguchi
- Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Wakayama, 640-8156, Japan
| | - Yukio Ago
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan; School of Dentistry, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan; Laboratory of Biopharmaceutics, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan; Global Center for Medical Engineering and Informatics, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
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Bogdanova OV, Bogdanov VB, Pizano A, Bouvard M, Cazalets JR, Mellen N, Amestoy A. The Current View on the Paradox of Pain in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:910824. [PMID: 35935443 PMCID: PMC9352888 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.910824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which affects 1 in 44 children and may cause severe disabilities. Besides socio-communicational difficulties and repetitive behaviors, ASD also presents as atypical sensorimotor function and pain reactivity. While chronic pain is a frequent co-morbidity in autism, pain management in this population is often insufficient because of difficulties in pain evaluation, worsening their prognosis and perhaps driving higher mortality rates. Previous observations have tended to oversimplify the experience of pain in autism as being insensitive to painful stimuli. Various findings in the past 15 years have challenged and complicated this dogma. However, a relatively small number of studies investigates the physiological correlates of pain reactivity in ASD. We explore the possibility that atypical pain perception in people with ASD is mediated by alterations in pain perception, transmission, expression and modulation, and through interactions between these processes. These complex interactions may account for the great variability and sometimes contradictory findings from the studies. A growing body of evidence is challenging the idea of alterations in pain processing in ASD due to a single factor, and calls for an integrative view. We propose a model of the pain cycle that includes the interplay between the molecular and neurophysiological pathways of pain processing and it conscious appraisal that may interfere with pain reactivity and coping in autism. The role of social factors in pain-induced response is also discussed. Pain assessment in clinical care is mostly based on subjective rather than objective measures. This review clarifies the strong need for a consistent methodology, and describes innovative tools to cope with the heterogeneity of pain expression in ASD, enabling individualized assessment. Multiple measures, including self-reporting, informant reporting, clinician-assessed, and purely physiological metrics may provide more consistent results. An integrative view on the regulation of the pain cycle offers a more robust framework to characterize the experience of pain in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olena V. Bogdanova
- CNRS, Aquitaine Institute for Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience, INCIA, UMR 5287, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Volodymyr B. Bogdanov
- Laboratoire EA 4136 – Handicap Activité Cognition Santé HACS, Collège Science de la Sante, Institut Universitaire des Sciences de la Réadaptation, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Adrien Pizano
- CNRS, Aquitaine Institute for Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience, INCIA, UMR 5287, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Centre Hospitalier Charles-Perrens, Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l’Enfant et de l’Adolescent, Bordeaux, France
| | - Manuel Bouvard
- CNRS, Aquitaine Institute for Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience, INCIA, UMR 5287, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Centre Hospitalier Charles-Perrens, Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l’Enfant et de l’Adolescent, Bordeaux, France
| | - Jean-Rene Cazalets
- CNRS, Aquitaine Institute for Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience, INCIA, UMR 5287, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Nicholas Mellen
- Department of Neurology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Anouck Amestoy
- CNRS, Aquitaine Institute for Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience, INCIA, UMR 5287, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Centre Hospitalier Charles-Perrens, Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l’Enfant et de l’Adolescent, Bordeaux, France
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21
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Huzard D, Martin M, Maingret F, Chemin J, Jeanneteau F, Mery PF, Fossat P, Bourinet E, François A. The impact of C-tactile low-threshold mechanoreceptors on affective touch and social interactions in mice. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo7566. [PMID: 35767616 PMCID: PMC9242590 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo7566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Affective touch is necessary for proper neurodevelopment and sociability. However, it remains unclear how the neurons innervating the skin detect affective and social behaviors. The C low-threshold mechanoreceptors (C-LTMRs), a specific population of somatosensory neurons in mice, appear particularly well suited, physiologically and anatomically, to perceive affective and social touch. However, their contribution to sociability has not been resolved yet. Our observations revealed that C-LTMR functional deficiency induced social isolation and reduced tactile interactions in adulthood. Conversely, transient increase in C-LTMR excitability in adults, using chemogenetics, was rewarding, promoted touch-seeking behaviors, and had prosocial influences on group dynamics. This work provides the first empirical evidence that specific peripheral inputs alone can drive complex social behaviors. It demonstrates the existence of a specialized neuronal circuit, originating in the skin, wired to promote interactions with other individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Huzard
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Miquel Martin
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - François Maingret
- Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux, France
| | - Jean Chemin
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Freddy Jeanneteau
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Pierre-François Mery
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Pascal Fossat
- Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux, France
| | - Emmanuel Bourinet
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Amaury François
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
- Corresponding author.
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22
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Liu B, Qiao L, Liu K, Liu J, Piccinni-Ash TJ, Chen ZF. Molecular and neural basis of pleasant touch sensation. Science 2022; 376:483-491. [PMID: 35482870 DOI: 10.1126/science.abn2479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Pleasant touch provides emotional and psychological support that helps mitigate social isolation and stress. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Using a pleasant touch-conditioned place preference (PT-CPP) test, we show that genetic ablation of spinal excitatory interneurons expressing prokineticin receptor 2 (PROKR2), or its ligand PROK2 in sensory neurons, abolishes PT-CPP without impairing pain and itch behaviors in mice. Mutant mice display profound impairments in stress response and prosocial behaviors. Moreover, PROKR2 neurons respond most vigorously to gentle stroking and encode reward value. Collectively, we identify PROK2 as a long-sought neuropeptide that encodes and transmits pleasant touch to spinal PROKR2 neurons. These findings may have important implications for elucidating mechanisms by which pleasant touch deprivation contributes to social avoidance behavior and mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benlong Liu
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Lina Qiao
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kun Liu
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Juan Liu
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Tyler J Piccinni-Ash
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Zhou-Feng Chen
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.,Departments of Medicine, Psychiatry, and Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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23
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Maria A, Hirvi P, Kotilahti K, Heiskala J, Tuulari JJ, Karlsson L, Karlsson H, Nissilä I. Imaging affective and non-affective touch processing in two-year-old children. Neuroimage 2022; 251:118983. [PMID: 35149231 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.118983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Touch is an important component of early parent-child interaction and plays a critical role in the socio-emotional development of children. However, there are limited studies on touch processing amongst children in the age range from one to three years. The present study used frequency-domain diffuse optical tomography (DOT) to investigate the processing of affective and non-affective touch over left frontotemporal brain areas contralateral to the stimulated forearm in two-year-old children. Affective touch was administered by a single stroke with a soft brush over the child's right dorsal forearm at 3 cm/s, while non-affective touch was provided by multiple brush strokes at 30 cm/s. We found that in the insula, the total haemoglobin (HbT) response to slow brushing was significantly greater than the response to fast brushing (slow > fast). Additionally, a region in the postcentral gyrus, Rolandic operculum and superior temporal gyrus exhibited greater response to fast brushing than slow brushing (fast > slow). These findings confirm that an adult-like pattern of haemodynamic responses to affective and non-affective touch can be recorded in two-year-old subjects using DOT. To improve the accuracy of modelling light transport in the two-year-old subjects, we used a published age-appropriate atlas and deformed it to match the exterior shape of each subject's head. We estimated the combined scalp and skull, and grey matter (GM) optical properties by fitting simulated data to calibrated and coupling error corrected phase and amplitude measurements. By utilizing a two-compartment cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) model, the accuracy of estimation of GM optical properties and the localization of activation in the insula was improved. The techniques presented in this paper can be used to study neural development of children at different ages and illustrate that the technology is well-tolerated by most two-year-old children and not excessively sensitive to subject movement. The study points the way towards exciting possibilities in functional imaging of deeper functional areas near sulci in small children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambika Maria
- University of Turku, Department of Clinical Medicine, Turku Brain and Mind Center, FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Finland; University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Finland
| | - Pauliina Hirvi
- Aalto University, Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, P.O. Box 12200, AALTO FI-00076, Finland; Aalto University, Department of Mathematics and Systems Analysis, Finland
| | - Kalle Kotilahti
- Aalto University, Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, P.O. Box 12200, AALTO FI-00076, Finland; University of Turku, Department of Clinical Medicine, Turku Brain and Mind Center, FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Finland
| | - Juha Heiskala
- HUS Medical Imaging Center, Clinical Neurophysiology; Clinical Neurosciences, Helsinki, University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jetro J Tuulari
- University of Turku, Department of Clinical Medicine, Turku Brain and Mind Center, FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Finland; University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Finland; Turku Collegium for Science, Medicine and Technology, TCSMT, University of Turku, Finland
| | - Linnea Karlsson
- University of Turku, Department of Clinical Medicine, Turku Brain and Mind Center, FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Finland; University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Finland; University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Finland; Centre for Population Health Research, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Hasse Karlsson
- University of Turku, Department of Clinical Medicine, Turku Brain and Mind Center, FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Finland; University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Finland
| | - Ilkka Nissilä
- Aalto University, Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, P.O. Box 12200, AALTO FI-00076, Finland.
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24
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Psychophysiology and motivated emotion: testing the affective touch hypothesis of C-tactile afferent function. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2021.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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25
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Farroni T, Della Longa L, Valori I. The self-regulatory affective touch: a speculative framework for the development of executive functioning. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2021.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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26
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Della Longa L, Valori I, Farroni T. Interpersonal Affective Touch in a Virtual World: Feeling the Social Presence of Others to Overcome Loneliness. Front Psychol 2022; 12:795283. [PMID: 35087455 PMCID: PMC8787079 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.795283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans are by nature social beings tuned to communicate and interact from the very beginning of their lives. The sense of touch represents the most direct and intimate channel of communication and a powerful means of connection between the self and the others. In our digital age, the development and diffusion of internet-based technologies and virtual environments offer new opportunities of communication overcoming physical distance. It however, happens that social interactions are often mediated, and the tactile aspects of communication are overlooked, thus diminishing the feeling of social presence, which may contribute to an increased sense of social disconnection and loneliness. The current manuscript aims to review the extant literature about the socio-affective dimension of touch and current advancements in interactive virtual environments in order to provide a new perspective on multisensory virtual communication. Specifically, we suggest that interpersonal affective touch might critically impact virtual social exchanges, promoting a sense of co-presence and social connection between individuals, possibly overcoming feelings of sensory loneliness. This topic of investigation will be of crucial relevance from a theoretical perspective aiming to understand how we integrate multisensory signals in processing and making sense of interpersonal exchanges, this is important in both typical and atypical populations. Moreover, it will pave the way to promising applications by exploring the possibility to use technical innovations to communicate more interactively in the case of people who suffer from social isolation and disconnection from others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Della Longa
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Irene Valori
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Teresa Farroni
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
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27
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Yu H, Miao W, Ji E, Huang S, Jin S, Zhu X, Liu MZ, Sun YG, Xu F, Yu X. Social touch-like tactile stimulation activates a tachykinin 1-oxytocin pathway to promote social interactions. Neuron 2022; 110:1051-1067.e7. [PMID: 35045339 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
It is well known that affective and pleasant touch promotes individual well-being and facilitates affiliative social communication, although the neural circuit that mediates this process is largely unknown. Here, we show that social-touch-like tactile stimulation (ST) enhances firing of oxytocin neurons in the mouse paraventricular hypothalamus (PVH) and promotes social interactions and positively reinforcing place preference. These results link pleasant somatosensory stimulation to increased social interactions and positive affective valence. We further show that tachykinin 1 (Tac1+) neurons in the lateral and ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (l/vlPAG) send monosynaptic excitatory projections to PVH oxytocin neurons. Functionally, activation of PVH-projecting Tac1+ neurons increases firing of oxytocin neurons, promotes social interactions, and increases preference for the social touch context, whereas reducing activity of Tac1+ neurons abolishes ST-induced oxytocin neuronal firing. Together, these results identify a dipeptidergic pathway from l/vlPAG Tac1+ neurons to PVH oxytocin neurons, through which pleasant sensory experience promotes social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Yu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wanying Miao
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - En Ji
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shajin Huang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Sen Jin
- Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xutao Zhu
- Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Ming-Zhe Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yan-Gang Sun
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fuqiang Xu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiang Yu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, and Peking University McGovern Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Autism Research Center of Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China; Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China.
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28
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Ujiie Y, Takahashi K. Associations between self-reported social touch avoidance, hypersensitivity, and autistic traits: Results from questionnaire research among typically developing adults. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2021.111186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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29
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Mateus V, Osório A, Miguel HO, Cruz S, Sampaio A. Maternal sensitivity and infant neural response to touch: an fNIRS study. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2021; 16:1256-1263. [PMID: 34086970 PMCID: PMC8716843 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsab069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The mother's attunement to her infant's emotional needs influences her use of touching behaviors during mother-infant interactions. Moreover, maternal touch appears to modulate infants' physiological responses to affective touch. However, little is known about the impact of maternal sensitivity on infants' touch processing at a brain level. This study explored the association between maternal sensitivity when infants (N = 24) were 7 months old and their patterns of cortical activation to touch at 12 months. Brain activation was measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Changes in oxy-hemoglobin (HbO2) and deoxy-hemoglobin (HHb) concentrations were measured in the left somatosensory cortex and right temporal cortex while infants received two types of tactile stimulation-affective and discriminative touch. Results showed that a lower maternal sensitivity was associated with a higher HbO2 response for discriminative touch over the temporal region. Additionally, infants of less sensitive mothers tended to present a higher response in HbO2 for affective touch over the somatosensory region. These findings suggest that less sensitive interactions might result in a lower exposure to maternal touch, which can be further related to infants' neural processing of touch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Mateus
- Developmental Disorders Graduate Program, Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Mackenzie Presbyterian University, São Paulo 01302-000, Brazil
| | - Ana Osório
- Developmental Disorders Graduate Program, Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Mackenzie Presbyterian University, São Paulo 01302-000, Brazil
| | - Helga O Miguel
- Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
| | - Sara Cruz
- The Psychology for Positive Development Research Center, Lusíada University – North, Porto 4369-006, Portugal
| | - Adriana Sampaio
- Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
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30
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Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that altered responses to affective touch—a pleasant interoceptive stimulus associated with activation of the C-Tactile (CT) system—may contribute to the aetiology and maintenance of mental conditions characterised by body image disturbances (e.g., Anorexia Nervosa). Here, we investigated whether tactile pleasantness and intensity differ across body sites, and if individual differences in dysmorphic appearance concerns and body and emotional awareness might be associated with touch perceptions across body sites. To this end, we measured perceived pleasantness and intensity of gentle, dynamic stroking touches applied to the palm, forearm, face, abdomen and back of 30 female participants (mean age: 25.87±1.17yrs) using CT-optimal (3 cm/s) and non-CT optimal (0.3 and 30 cm/s) stroking touch. As expected, participants rated CT-targeted touch as more pleasant compared to the two non-CT optimal stroking touch at all body sites. Regardless of stroking velocity, touch applied to the abdomen elicited the lowest pleasantness ratings. Lower levels of emotional awareness, greater levels of interoceptive sensibility and of dysmorphic concerns were associated with lower preference for CT-optimal stroking touch applied to the forearm and the back. These findings begin to elucidate the link between CT sensitivity, dysmorphic appearance concerns and body and emotional awareness, which may have implications for future research looking to inform early interventions. Addressing impaired processing of affective interoceptive stimuli, such as CT-targeted touch, may be the key to current treatment approaches available for those populations at risk of disorders characterised by body image disturbance.
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31
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Vicarious ratings of social touch the effect of age and autistic traits. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19336. [PMID: 34588542 PMCID: PMC8481497 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98802-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Tactile sensitivities are common in Autism Spectrum Conditions (autism). Psychophysically, slow, gentle stroking touch is typically rated as more pleasant than faster or slower touch. Vicarious ratings of social touch results in a similar pattern of velocity dependent hedonic ratings as directly felt touch. Here we investigated whether adults and children’s vicarious ratings vary according to autism diagnosis and self-reported autistic traits. Adults’ scoring high on the AQ rated stroking touch on the palm as less pleasant than a Low AQ group. However, in contrast to our hypothesis, we did not find any effect of autism diagnosis on children’s touch ratings despite parental reports highlighting significant somatosensory sensitivities. These results are discussed in terms of underpinning sensory and cognitive factors.
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32
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Haggarty CJ, Trotter PD, McGlone F, Walker SC. Children's vicarious ratings of social touch are tuned to the velocity but not the location of a caress. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256303. [PMID: 34437583 PMCID: PMC8389448 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Affective sharing is a bottom-up process involving automatic processing of sensory inputs that facilitate vicarious experience of another's emotional state. It is grounded directly in the prior experiences of the perceiver. In adults, vicarious ratings of affective touch match the known velocity tuning and hypothesised anatomical distribution of C-tactile afferents (CT), a subclass of C-fibre which respond preferentially to low force/velocity stroking touch, typically perceived as pleasant. Given the centrality of touch to early nurturing interactions, here we examined whether primary school aged children's vicarious ratings of affective touch show the same anatomical and velocity specific patterns reported in adults. Forty-four children aged between 8 and 11 (mean age 9, 24 male) rated a sequence of video clips depicting one individual being touched by another on 5 different upper-body sites (palm, dorsal forearm, ventral forearm, upper-arm and back) at 3 different velocities (static, CT optimal, slow stroking and non-CT optimal, fast stroking). Immediately after viewing each clip, participants were asked to rate how pleasant they perceived the touch to be. While children rated the CT optimal velocity significantly higher than static or non-CT optimal touch, unlike adults their ratings did not vary across skin sites. This difference may reflect the fact children's ratings are grounded in bottom-up affective resonance while adults also draw on top-down cognitive evaluation of the broader social context when rating the stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor J. Haggarty
- Research Centre for Brain & Behaviour, School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Paula D. Trotter
- Research Centre for Brain & Behaviour, School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Francis McGlone
- Research Centre for Brain & Behaviour, School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Institute of Psychology, Health & Society, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Susannah C. Walker
- Research Centre for Brain & Behaviour, School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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33
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Weiss A, Wilson VAD, Hopkins WD. Early social rearing, the V1A arginine vasopressin receptor genotype, and autistic traits in chimpanzees. Autism Res 2021; 14:1843-1853. [PMID: 34089305 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies found associations between autism-related phenotypes and both rearing and V1A arginine vasopressin receptor (AVPR1A) genotypes. We tested whether these exposures as well as their interaction were associated with autism-related phenotypes in 121 laboratory-housed chimpanzees. We used expert-derived weights to obtain autism scores from ratings on the 43-item Chimpanzee Personality Questionnaire; higher scores indicated more autistic-like traits. The first model included fixed effects for sex, age, and rearing, and a random effect that addressed the relatedness of subjects. The second model was the same except that it also included the rearing × AVPR1A genotype interaction as a fixed effect. Both models indicated that the phenotype was moderately heritable and that chimpanzees reared by their mothers had lower scores on the scale. The effect of genotype in both models indicated that chimpanzees with an indel deletion had higher scores on the scale, although the credible interval included zero. Moreover, the rearing × genotype interaction in the second model indicated that chimpanzees who possessed the non-deletion genotype and who were reared by their mother were at even greater risk. The credible interval for this effect did not include zero, but fit statistics indicated that the model without the interaction was marginally better, and the interaction was in the opposite direction than we expected based on previous work. These findings highlight the importance of rearing effects in the typical social development of our closet-living nonhuman relative. LAY SUMMARY: We tested whether, in chimpanzees, scores on a scale comprising traits that resembled aspects of autism were related to a gene associated with autism in prior research and/or early rearing. Human-reared chimpanzees had higher scores (indicating more autistic-like traits). Chimpanzees that possessed the gene also had higher scores, but we could not exclude the possibility that there was no effect of genotype. These findings suggest that we can measure autism-like characteristics in chimpanzees, and so study it in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Weiss
- Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Scottish Primate Research Group, United Kingdom
| | - Vanessa A D Wilson
- Department of Comparative Cognition, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchatel, Neuchatel, Switzerland.,Distributional Linguistics Lab, Department of Comparative Language Science, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - William D Hopkins
- Department of Comparative Medicine, The University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, Texas, USA
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34
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Norholt H. Delivering Clinically on Our Knowledge of Oxytocin and Sensory Stimulation: The Potential of Infant Carrying in Primary Prevention. Front Psychol 2021; 11:590051. [PMID: 33995157 PMCID: PMC8116555 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.590051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is one of the most intensively researched neuropeptides during the three past decades. In benign social contexts, OT exerts a range of desirable socioemotional, stress-reducing, and immunoregulatory effects in mammals and humans and influences mammalian parenting. Consequentially, research in potential pharmacological applications of OT toward human social deficits/disorders and physical illness has increased substantially. Regrettably, the results from the administration of exogenous OT are still relatively inconclusive. Research in rodent maternal developmental programming has demonstrated the susceptibility of offspring endogenous OT systems to maternal somatosensory stimulation, with consequences for behavioral, epigenetic, cognitive, and neurological outcomes. A translation of this animal research into practically feasible human parenting recommendations has yet to happen, despite the significant prevention potential implied by the maternal developmental programming research. Extended physical contact with full-term healthy infants in the months following birth (infant carrying) might constitute the human equivalent of those specific rodent maternal behaviors, found to positively influence emerging OT systems. Findings from both OT and maternal programming research parallel those found for infants exposed to such extended parental physical contact, whether through skin-to-skin contact or infant carrying. Clinical support of parents to engage in extended physical contact represents a feasible intervention to create optimum conditions for the development of infant OT systems, with potential beneficial long-term health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Norholt
- SomAffect - The Somatosensory & Affective Neuroscience Group, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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35
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Cruciani G, Zanini L, Russo V, Mirabella M, Palamoutsi EM, Spitoni GF. Strengths and weaknesses of affective touch studies over the lifetime: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 127:1-24. [PMID: 33891971 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
C-Tactile (CT) fibers are activated by slow, caress-like stimulations, and convey a specific tactile processing of hedonic and interpersonal components, defined as affective touch. Given the beneficial effects deriving from affective tactile experiences in social interactions at all ages, a systematic review of experimental studies on affective touch perception across the lifespan was performed with the aims of 1) examining whether and how affective touch has been studied in a systematic manner throughout the lifespan; 2) verifying whether the pleasantness associated to affective stimulations is found during the entire lifespan. Empirical human studies on affective touch were searched in two databases (PubMed, PsychINFO) and 112 articles were retrieved. Results indicated that most of the studies recruited participants with a mean age ranging from 18 to 40 years, whereas other age ranges came out as under-represented or not represented at all. Despite high heterogeneity across studies, affective touch was considered as a pleasant experience across the lifetime, and it was associated to specific psychophysiological patterns in infants and adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Cruciani
- Department of Psychology, PhD Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, Rome, Italy.
| | - Ludovica Zanini
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Russo
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Mirabella
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Grazia Fernanda Spitoni
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, Rome, Italy; Cognitive and Motor Rehabilitation and Neuroimaging Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306-354, Rome, Italy
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36
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Perini I, Gustafsson PA, Igelström K, Jasiunaite-Jokubaviciene B, Kämpe R, Mayo LM, Molander J, Olausson H, Zetterqvist M, Heilig M. Altered relationship between subjective perception and central representation of touch hedonics in adolescents with autism-spectrum disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:224. [PMID: 33866324 PMCID: PMC8053196 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01341-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
An impairment of social communication is a core symptom of autism-spectrum disorder (ASD). Affective touch is an important means of social interaction, and C-Tactile (CT) afferents are thought to play a key role in the peripheral detection and encoding of these stimuli. Exploring the neural and behavioral mechanisms for processing CT-optimal touch (~3 cm/s) may therefore provide useful insights into the pathophysiology of ASD. We examined the relationship between touch hedonics (i.e. the subjective pleasantness with which affective touch stimuli are perceived) and neural processing in the posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS). This region is less activated to affective touch in individuals with ASD, and, in typically developing individuals (TD), is correlated positively with touch pleasantness. TD and ASD participants received brushing stimuli at CT-optimal, and CT-non-optimal speeds during fMRI. Touch pleasantness and intensity ratings were collected, and affective touch awareness, a measure of general touch hedonics was calculated. As expected, slow touch was perceived as more pleasant and less intense than fast touch in both groups, whereas affective touch awareness was moderately higher in TD compared to ASD. There was a strong, positive correlation between right pSTS activation and affective touch awareness in TD, but not in ASD. Our findings suggest that altered neural coupling between right pSTS and touch hedonics in ASD may be associated with social touch avoidance in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Perini
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Per A Gustafsson
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Region Östergötland, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Kajsa Igelström
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping, Sweden
| | - Brigita Jasiunaite-Jokubaviciene
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Robin Kämpe
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping, Sweden
| | - Leah M Mayo
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping, Sweden
| | - Johanna Molander
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Håkan Olausson
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping, Sweden
| | - Maria Zetterqvist
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Region Östergötland, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Markus Heilig
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Psychiatry, Region Östergötland, Linköping, Sweden
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37
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van Hoogdalem LE, Feijs HME, Bramer WM, Ismail SY, van Dongen JDM. The Effectiveness of Neurofeedback Therapy as an Alternative Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children. J PSYCHOPHYSIOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1027/0269-8803/a000265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Abstract. Findings for the effectiveness of neurofeedback in autism spectrum disorder are found to be inconsistent. Therefore, this review comprehensively and systematically reviewed literature on the effectiveness of neurofeedback for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders in children. A systematic search of Embase, Medline, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Cochrane, and Google Scholar was carried out in October 2017 to find relevant papers. We selected full journal articles that reported neurofeedback as a treatment for autism in children (0–17 years). The search yielded 587 articles and we included 20 references with a total of 443 participants. Ninety-four percent of nonrandomized controlled and experimental trials concerning neurofeedback for autism spectrum disorders found positive results. The evidence for effectiveness of neurofeedback therapy was even more robust when only randomized controlled studies were considered. Although there are only a few randomized controlled studies, results support effectiveness of neurofeedback for autism spectrum disorder, including long-term positive effects. In the future, optimal treatment protocols have to be developed to guide clinicians in their neurofeedback treatment. In conclusion, neurofeedback seems to be an alternative treatment for autism spectrum disorders, with space for improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lothar E. van Hoogdalem
- Department of Psychiatry, Section Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Wichor M. Bramer
- Medical Library, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sohal Y. Ismail
- Department of Psychiatry, Section Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Josanne D. M. van Dongen
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Espenhahn S, Godfrey KJ, Kaur S, Ross M, Nath N, Dmitrieva O, McMorris C, Cortese F, Wright C, Murias K, Dewey D, Protzner AB, McCrimmon A, Bray S, Harris AD. Tactile cortical responses and association with tactile reactivity in young children on the autism spectrum. Mol Autism 2021; 12:26. [PMID: 33794998 PMCID: PMC8017878 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-021-00435-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Unusual behavioral reactions to sensory stimuli are frequently reported in individuals on the autism spectrum (AS). Despite the early emergence of sensory features (< age 3) and their potential impact on development and quality of life, little is known about the neural mechanisms underlying sensory reactivity in early childhood autism. Methods Here, we used electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate tactile cortical processing in young children aged 3–6 years with autism and in neurotypical (NT) children. Scalp EEG was recorded from 33 children with autism, including those with low cognitive and/or verbal abilities, and 45 age- and sex-matched NT children during passive tactile fingertip stimulation. We compared properties of early and later somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEPs) and their adaptation with repetitive stimulation between autistic and NT children and assessed whether these neural measures are linked to “real-world” parent-reported tactile reactivity. Results As expected, we found elevated tactile reactivity in children on the autism spectrum. Our findings indicated no differences in amplitude or latency of early and mid-latency somatosensory-evoked potentials (P50, N80, P100), nor adaptation between autistic and NT children. However, latency of later processing of tactile information (N140) was shorter in young children with autism compared to NT children, suggesting faster processing speed in young autistic children. Further, correlational analyses and exploratory analyses using tactile reactivity as a grouping variable found that enhanced early neural responses were associated with greater tactile reactivity in autism. Limitations The relatively small sample size and the inclusion of a broad range of autistic children (e.g., with low cognitive and/or verbal abilities) may have limited our power to detect subtle group differences and associations. Hence, replications are needed to verify these results. Conclusions Our findings suggest that electrophysiological somatosensory cortex processing measures may be indices of “real-world” tactile reactivity in early childhood autism. Together, these findings advance our understanding of the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying tactile reactivity in early childhood autism and, in the clinical context, may have therapeutic implications. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13229-021-00435-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Espenhahn
- Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada. .,Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. .,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. .,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| | - Kate J Godfrey
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Sakshi Kaur
- Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Maia Ross
- Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Niloy Nath
- Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Olesya Dmitrieva
- Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Carly McMorris
- Department of Paediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,The Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Filomeno Cortese
- Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Charlene Wright
- Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Kara Murias
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Paediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Deborah Dewey
- Department of Paediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Andrea B Protzner
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,The Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Adam McCrimmon
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Signe Bray
- Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.,Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Paediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Ashley D Harris
- Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.,Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Paediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Schröder Y, Hohmann DM, Meller T, Evermann U, Pfarr JK, Jansen A, Kamp-Becker I, Grezellschak S, Nenadić I. Associations of subclinical autistic-like traits with brain structural variation using diffusion tensor imaging and voxel-based morphometry. Eur Psychiatry 2021; 64:e27. [PMID: 33653433 PMCID: PMC8080214 DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2021.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Previous case–control studies of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) have identified altered brain structure such as altered frontal and temporal cortex volumes, or decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) within the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus in patients. It remains unclear whether subclinical autistic-like traits might also be related to variation in these brain structures. Methods In this study, we analyzed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of 250 psychiatrically healthy subjects phenotyped for subclinical autistic-like traits using the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). For data analysis, we used voxel-based morphometry of T1-MRIs (Computational Anatomy Toolbox) and tract-based spatial statistics for diffusion tensor imaging data. Results AQ attention switching subscale correlated negatively with FA values in the bilateral uncinate fasciculus as well as the bilateral inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus. Higher AQ attention switching subscale scores were associated with increased mean diffusivity and radial diffusivity values in the uncinate fasciculus, while axial diffusivity values within this tract show a negative correlation. AQ attention to detail subscale correlated positively with gray matter volume in the right pre- and postcentral gyrus. Conclusions We demonstrate that individuals with higher levels of autism-spectrum-like features show decreased white matter integrity in tracts associated with higher-level visual processing and increased cortical volume in areas linked to movement sequencing and working memory. Our results resemble regional brain structure alterations found in individuals with ASD. This offers opportunities to further understand the etiology and pathogenesis of the disorder and shows a subclinical continuum perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne Schröder
- Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg/Marburg University Hospital-UKGM, Marburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Michelle Hohmann
- Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg/Marburg University Hospital-UKGM, Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, 35032Marburg, Germany
| | - Tina Meller
- Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg/Marburg University Hospital-UKGM, Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, 35032Marburg, Germany
| | - Ulrika Evermann
- Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg/Marburg University Hospital-UKGM, Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, 35032Marburg, Germany
| | - Julia-Katharina Pfarr
- Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg/Marburg University Hospital-UKGM, Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, 35032Marburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Jansen
- Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg/Marburg University Hospital-UKGM, Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, 35032Marburg, Germany.,Core-Facility BrainImaging, School of Medicine, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Inge Kamp-Becker
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, 35032Marburg, Germany.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg/Marburg University Hospital-UKGM, Marburg, Germany
| | - Sarah Grezellschak
- Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg/Marburg University Hospital-UKGM, Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, 35032Marburg, Germany
| | - Igor Nenadić
- Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg/Marburg University Hospital-UKGM, Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, 35032Marburg, Germany
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40
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Spaccasassi C, Frigione I, Maravita A. Bliss in and Out of the Body: The (Extra)Corporeal Space Is Impervious to Social Pleasant Touch. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11020225. [PMID: 33673297 PMCID: PMC7917648 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11020225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Slow, gentle stimulation of hairy skin is generally accompanied by hedonic sensations. This phenomenon, also known as (positive) affective touch, is likely to be the basis of affiliative interactions with conspecifics by promoting inter-individual bindings. Previous studies on healthy humans have demonstrated that affective touch can remarkably impact behavior. For instance, by administering the Rubber Hand Illusion (RHI) paradigm, the embodiment of a fake hand enhances after a slow, affective touch compared to a fast, neutral touch. However, results coming from this area are not univocal. In addition, there are no clues in the existing literature on the relationship between affective touch and the space around our body. To overcome these lacks, we carried out two separate experiments where participants underwent a RHI paradigm (Experiment 1) and a Visuo-Tactile Interaction task (Experiment 2), designed to tap into body representation and peripersonal space processing, respectively. In both experiments, an affective touch (CT-optimal, 3 cm/s) and neutral touch (CT-suboptimal, 18 cm/s) were delivered by the experimenter on the dorsal side of participants’ hand through a “skin to skin” contact. In Experiment 1, we did not find any modulation of body representation—not at behavioral nor at a physiological level—by affective touch. In Experiment 2, no visuo-tactile spatial modulation emerged depending upon the pleasantness of the touch received. These null findings are interpreted in the light of the current scientific context where the real nature of affective touch is often misguided, and they offer the possibility to pave the way for understanding the real effects of affective touch on body/space representation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Spaccasassi
- Centre for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, ‘Alma Mater Studiorum’, Department of Psychology, Cesena Campus, Bologna University, 47521 Cesena, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Ivana Frigione
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milano, Italy; (I.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Angelo Maravita
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milano, Italy; (I.F.); (A.M.)
- Milan Centre for Neurosciences, 20126 Milano, Italy
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41
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Long Y, Zheng L, Zhao H, Zhou S, Zhai Y, Lu C. Interpersonal Neural Synchronization during Interpersonal Touch Underlies Affiliative Pair Bonding between Romantic Couples. Cereb Cortex 2021; 31:1647-1659. [PMID: 33145593 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Interpersonal touch plays a key role in creating and maintaining affiliative pair bonds in romantic love. However, the neurocognitive mechanism of interpersonal touch in affiliative pair bonding remains unclear. Here, we hypothesized that interpersonal neural synchronization (INS) during interpersonal touch underlies affiliative pair bonding between romantic couples. To test this hypothesis, INS between heterosexual romantic couples and between opposite-sex friends was measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy-based hyperscanning, while the pairs of participants touched or vocally communicated with each other. The results showed significantly greater INS between the mentalizing and sensorimotor neural systems of two members of a pair during interpersonal touch than during vocal communication between romantic couples but not between friends. Moreover, touch-induced INS was significantly correlated with the self-reported strength of romantic love. Finally, the results also showed that men's empathy positively modulated the association between touch-induced INS increase and the strength of romantic love. These findings support the idea that INS during interpersonal touch underlies affiliative pair bonding between romantic couples and suggest that empathy plays a modulatory role in the neurocognitive mechanism of interpersonal touch in affiliative pair bonding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhang Long
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Lifen Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Siyuan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yu Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Chunming Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
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Chen Y, Li Q, Zhang Q, Kou J, Zhang Y, Cui H, Wernicke J, Montag C, Becker B, Kendrick KM, Yao S. The Effects of Intranasal Oxytocin on Neural and Behavioral Responses to Social Touch in the Form of Massage. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:589878. [PMID: 33343285 PMCID: PMC7746800 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.589878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Manually-administered massage can potently increase endogenous oxytocin concentrations and neural activity in social cognition and reward regions and intranasal oxytocin can increase the pleasantness of social touch. In the present study, we investigated whether intranasal oxytocin modulates behavioral and neural responses to foot massage applied manually or by machine using a randomized placebo-controlled within-subject pharmaco-fMRI design. 46 male participants underwent blocks of massage of each type where they both received and imagined receiving the massage. Intranasal oxytocin significantly increased subjective pleasantness ratings of the manual but not the machine massage and neural responses in key regions involved in reward (orbitofrontal cortex, dorsal striatum and ventral tegmental area), social cognition (superior temporal sulcus and inferior parietal lobule), emotion and salience (amygdala and anterior cingulate and insula) and default mode networks (medial prefrontal cortex, parahippocampal gyrus, posterior cingulate, and precuneus) as well as a number of sensory and motor processing regions. Both neural and behavioral effects of oxytocin occurred independent of whether subjects thought the massage was applied by a male or female masseur. These findings support the importance of oxytocin for enhancing positive behavioral and neural responses to social touch in the form of manually administered massage and that a combination of intranasal oxytocin and massage may have therapeutic potential in autism. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION The Effects of Oxytocin on Social Touch; registration ID: NCT03278860; URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03278860.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanshu Chen
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Qin Li
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Juan Kou
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yingying Zhang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Han Cui
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Jennifer Wernicke
- Department of Molecular Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christian Montag
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Department of Molecular Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Benjamin Becker
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Keith M. Kendrick
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuxia Yao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
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Arakawa H. From Multisensory Assessment to Functional Interpretation of Social Behavioral Phenotype in Transgenic Mouse Models for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:592408. [PMID: 33329141 PMCID: PMC7717939 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.592408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common heterogeneous disorder, defined solely by the core behavioral characteristics, including impaired social interaction and restricted and repeated behavior. Although an increasing number of studies have been performed extensively, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the core symptoms of ASD remain largely unknown. Transgenic mouse models provide a useful tool for evaluating genetic and neuronal mechanisms underlying ASD pathology, which are prerequisites for validating behavioral phenotypes that mimic the core symptoms of human ASD. The purpose of this review is to propose a better strategy for analyzing and interpreting social investigatory behaviors in transgenic mouse models of ASD. Mice are nocturnal, and employ multimodal processing mechanisms for social communicative behaviors, including those that involve olfactory and tactile senses. Most behavioral paradigms that have been developed for measuring a particular ASD-like behavior in mouse models, such as social recognition, preference, and discrimination tests, are based on the evaluation of distance-based investigatory behavior in response to social stimuli. This investigatory behavior in mice is regulated by multimodal processing involving with two different motives: first, an olfactory-based novelty assessment, and second, tactile-based social contact, in a temporally sequential manner. Accurate interpretation of investigatory behavior exhibited by test mice can be achieved by functional analysis of these multimodal, sequential behaviors, which will lead to a better understanding of the specific features of social deficits associated with ASD in transgenic mouse models, at high temporal and spatial resolutions.
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Devine SL, Walker SC, Makdani A, Stockton ER, McFarquhar MJ, McGlone FP, Trotter PD. Childhood Adversity and Affective Touch Perception: A Comparison of United Kingdom Care Leavers and Non-care Leavers. Front Psychol 2020; 11:557171. [PMID: 33240148 PMCID: PMC7683385 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.557171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In the United Kingdom, the most common reasons for a child to come under the care of social services are neglect and abuse. Such early childhood adversity is a risk factor for social-isolation and poor mental health in adulthood. Touch is a key channel for nurturing interactions, and previous studies have shown links between early somatosensory input, experience dependent neural plasticity, and later life emotional functioning. The aim of the present study was to test the relationship between childhood neglect/abuse and later life experiences, attitudes, and hedonic ratings of affective touch. Here, affective touch is defined as low force, dynamic touch which C-Tactile afferents (CTs) respond optimally to. We hypothesized that a childhood lacking in early nurturing tactile stimulation would be associated with reduced sensitivity to socially relevant affective touch in adulthood. To test this, 19 care leavers (average 9.32 ± 3.70 years in foster care) and 32 non-care leavers were recruited through opportunity sampling (mean age = 21.25 ± 1.74 years). Participants completed a range of psychophysical somatosensory tests. First, they rated the pleasantness of CT-optimal (3 cm/s) and non-CT-optimal (0.3 and 30 cm/s) stroking touch applied to their forearm, both robotically and by an experimenter. They also made vicarious ratings of the anticipated pleasantness of social tactile interactions depicted in a series of videos. Finally, they filled in the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Touch Experiences and Attitudes Questionnaire (TEAQ). As expected, care leavers reported significantly higher levels of childhood trauma than the control group. They also reported significantly lower levels of positive childhood touch compared to non-care leavers, but their attitudes and experiences of current intimate and affiliative touch did not differ. Across all psychophysical tests, care leavers showed specific reduction in sensitivity to the affective value of CT targeted 3 cm/s touch. The results of this study support the hypothesis that a lack of nurturing touch in early developmental periods leads to blunted sensitivity to the specific social value of affective touch. Future research should investigate the neural and physiological mechanisms underlying the observed effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaunna L Devine
- Research Centre for Brain and Behaviour, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Susannah C Walker
- Research Centre for Brain and Behaviour, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Adarsh Makdani
- Research Centre for Brain and Behaviour, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth R Stockton
- Research Centre for Brain and Behaviour, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Martyn J McFarquhar
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Francis P McGlone
- Research Centre for Brain and Behaviour, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,Institute of Psychology, Health and Society, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Paula D Trotter
- Research Centre for Brain and Behaviour, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Oxytocin increases the pleasantness of affective touch and orbitofrontal cortex activity independent of valence. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 39:99-110. [PMID: 32861545 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2020.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Touch plays a crucial role in affiliative behavior and social communication. The neuropeptide oxytocin is released in response to touch and may act to facilitate the rewarding effects of social touch. However, no studies to date have determined whether oxytocin facilitates behavioral or neural responses to non-socially administered affective touch and possible differential effects of touch valence. In a functional MRI experiment using a randomized placebo-controlled, within-subject design in 40 male subjects we investigated the effects of intranasal oxytocin (24IU) on behavioral and neural responses to positive, neutral and negative valence touch administered to the arm via different types of materials at a frequency aimed to optimally stimulate C-fibers. Results showed that oxytocin significantly increased both the perceived pleasantness of touch and activation of the orbitofrontal cortex independent of touch valence. The effects of OT on touch-evoked orbitofrontal activation were also positively associated with basal oxytocin concentrations in blood. Additionally, anterior insula activity and the functional connectivity between the amygdala and right anterior insula were enhanced only in response to negative valence touch. Overall, the present study provides the first evidence that oxytocin may facilitate the rewarding effects of all types of touch, irrespective of valence.
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Suvilehto JT, Renvall V, Nummenmaa L. Relationship-specific Encoding of Social Touch in Somatosensory and Insular Cortices. Neuroscience 2020; 464:105-116. [PMID: 32931848 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Humans use touch to maintain their social relationships, and the emotional qualities of touch depend on who touches whom. However, it is not known how affective and social dimensions of touch are processed in the brain. We measured haemodynamic brain activity with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) from 19 subjects (10 males), while they were touched on their upper thigh by either their romantic partner, or an unfamiliar female or male confederate or saw the hand of one of these individuals near their upper thigh but were not touched. We used multi-voxel pattern analysis on pre-defined regions of interest to reveal areas that encode social touch in a relationship-specific manner. The accuracy of the machine learning classifier to identify actor for both feeling touch and seeing hand exceeded the chance level in the primary somatosensory cortex, while in the insular cortex accuracy was above chance level only for the touch condition. When classifying the relationship (partner or stranger), while keeping the toucher sex fixed, amygdala (AMYG), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), and primary and secondary somatosensory cortices were able to discriminate toucher significantly above chance level. These results suggest that information on the social relationship of the toucher is processed consistently across several regions. More complex information about toucher identity is processed in the primary somatosensory and insular cortices, both of which can be considered early sensory areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juulia T Suvilehto
- Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland; Aalto NeuroImaging, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland; Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, SE-58183 Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Ville Renvall
- Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Lauri Nummenmaa
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, FI-20521 Turku, Finland; Department of Psychology, University of Turku, FI-20500 Turku, Finland; Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, FI-20521 Turku, Finland
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Social Development of Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder During Dog-Assisted Therapy: A Detailed Observational Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17165922. [PMID: 32824069 PMCID: PMC7459497 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17165922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Social communication and self-esteem are often affected in adults with autism spectrum disorder. Implementation and evaluation of interventions targeting social skills are challenged due to specific characteristics of autism. Intensive, valid evaluation of social skills programs is needed. In this explorative multiple case study, we examined effects and working mechanisms of dog-assisted therapy on social communication and self-esteem, by analyzing detailed observations with Monte Carlo permutation tests (testing against 10,000 random samples) and using self- and other-reports in N=6 high-functioning adults with ASD. Results showed significant positive effects on secure body posture. There was an indication of improved self-esteem and more spontaneous touching of the dog, while no convincing increase was found for verbal initiatives. Cross-correlation analyses revealed that touching the therapy dog may be an important determinant to elicit social development in Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT). Considering preliminary results, we recommend exploring underlying mechanisms more thoroughly with real-time observations, accounting for possible gender-effects.
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Lee Masson H, Op de Beeck H, Boets B. Reduced task-dependent modulation of functional network architecture for positive versus negative affective touch processing in autism spectrum disorders. Neuroimage 2020; 219:117009. [PMID: 32504816 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) experience impairments in social communication and interaction, and often show difficulties with receiving and offering touch. Despite the high prevalence of abnormal reactions to touch in ASD, and the importance of touch communication in human relationships, the neural mechanisms underlying atypical touch processing in ASD remain largely unknown. To answer this question, we provided both pleasant and unpleasant touch stimulation to male adults with and without ASD during functional neuroimaging. By employing generalized psychophysiological interaction analysis combined with an independent component analysis approach, we characterize stimulus-dependent changes in functional connectivity patterns for processing two tactile stimuli that evoke different emotions (i.e., pleasant vs. unpleasant touch). Results reveal that neurotypical male adults showed extensive stimulus-sensitive modulations of the functional network architecture in response to the different types of touch, both at the level of brain regions and large-scale networks. Conversely, far fewer stimulus-sensitive modulations were observed in the ASD group. These aberrant functional connectivity profiles in the ASD group were marked by hypo-connectivity of the parietal operculum and major pain networks and hyper-connectivity between the semantic and limbic networks. Lastly, individuals presenting more social deficits and a more negative attitude towards social touch showed greater hyper-connectivity between the limbic and semantic networks. These findings suggest that reduced stimulus-related modulation of this functional network architecture is associated with abnormal processing of touch in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haemy Lee Masson
- Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Developmental Psychiatry, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes) Consortium, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Hans Op de Beeck
- Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Boets
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes) Consortium, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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Orefice LL. Peripheral Somatosensory Neuron Dysfunction: Emerging Roles in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Neuroscience 2020; 445:120-129. [PMID: 32035119 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.01.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Alterations in somatosensory (touch and pain) behaviors are highly prevalent among people with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, the neural mechanisms underlying abnormal touch and pain-related behaviors in ASDs and how altered somatosensory reactivity might contribute to ASD pathogenesis has not been well studied. Here, we provide a brief review of somatosensory alterations observed in people with ASDs and recent evidence from animal models that implicates peripheral neurons as a locus of dysfunction for somatosensory abnormalities in ASDs. Lastly, we describe current efforts to understand how altered peripheral sensory neuron dysfunction may impact brain development and complex behaviors in ASD models, and whether targeting peripheral somatosensory neurons to improve their function might also improve related ASD phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren L Orefice
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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Haggarty CJ, Malinowski P, McGlone FP, Walker SC. Autistic traits modulate cortical responses to affective but not discriminative touch. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 51:1844-1855. [PMID: 31793072 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The sense of touch is primarily considered a discriminative and exteroceptive sense, facilitating the detection, manipulation and exploration of objects, via an array of low-threshold mechanoreceptors and fast conducting A-beta (Aβ) afferents. However, a class of unmyelinated, low-threshold mechanoreceptors identified in the hairy skin of mammals have been proposed to constitute a second, anatomically distinct system coding the affective qualities of touch. Unlike Aβs, which increase their firing rate linearly with the velocity of a stimulus moving across their receptive field, the response of these C-tactile afferents (CTs) is described by an inverted 'U' curve fit, responding optimally to a skin temperature stimulus moving at between 1 and 10 cm/s. Given the distinct velocity tuning of these fast and slow touch fibres, here we used event-related potentials to compare the time course of neural responses to 1st (fast) and 2nd (slow) touch systems. We identified a higher amplitude P300 in response to fast, Aβ-targeted, versus slow CT-targeted, stroking touch. In contrast, we identified a previously described, C-fibre specific, ultra-late potential (ULP) associated with CT-targeted input. Of special note as regards the function of CTs is that the amplitude of the ULP was negatively correlated with self-reported levels of autistic traits, which is consistent with the hypothesized affective and social significance of this response. Taken together, these findings provide further support for distinct discriminative and affective touch systems and suggests the temporal resolution of EEG provides an as yet underutilized tool for exploring individual differences in response sensitivity to CT-targeted touch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor J Haggarty
- Research Centre for Brain & Behaviour, School of Natural Sciences & Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Peter Malinowski
- Research Centre for Brain & Behaviour, School of Natural Sciences & Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Francis P McGlone
- Research Centre for Brain & Behaviour, School of Natural Sciences & Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK.,Institute of Psychology, Health & Society, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Susannah C Walker
- Research Centre for Brain & Behaviour, School of Natural Sciences & Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
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