Perceptual recalibration in sensory substitution and perceptual modification

2005 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 481-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan C. González ◽  
Paul Bach-y-Rita ◽  
Steven J. Haase
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Adaptive Capacity ◽  
Spatial Perception ◽  
Sensory Substitution ◽  
Dynamic Character ◽  
Sensory Modalities ◽  
Theoretical Issues

This paper analyzes the process of perceptual recalibration (PR) in light of two cases of technologically-mediated cognition: sensory substitution and perceptual modification. We hold that PR is a very useful concept — perhaps necessary — for explaining the adaptive capacity that natural perceptive systems display as they respond to functional demands from the environment. We also survey critically related issues, such as the role of learning, training, and nervous system plasticity in the recalibrating process. Attention is given to the interaction between technology and cognition, and the case of epistemic prostheses is presented as an illustration. Finally, we address the following theoretical issues: (1) the dynamic character of spatial perception; (2) the role of functional demands in perception; (3) the nature and interaction of sensory modalities. We aim to show that these issues may be addressed empirically and conceptually — hence, the usefulness of sensory-substitution and perceptual-modification studies in the analysis of perception, technologically-mediated cognition, and cognition in general.

Sensory Substitution Devices as Advanced Sensory Tools

2018 ◽  
pp. 188-204
Author(s):  
Thomas D. Wright ◽  
Jamie Ward
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Sensory Information ◽  
Sensory Substitution ◽  
Considerable Effort ◽  
Conceptual Space ◽  
System P ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Sensory Modalities ◽  
Magnetic Sense ◽  
Definition Of

There has been considerable effort devoted towards understanding sensory substitution devices in terms of their relationship to canonical sensory modalities. The approach taken in this essay is rather different, although complementary, in that we seek to define a broad conceptual space of ‘sensory tools’ in which sensory substitution devices can be situated. Such devices range from telescopes, to cochlear implants, to attempts to create a magnetic sense. One feature of these devices is that they operate at the level of ‘raw’ sensory information. As such, systems such as Braille which operate at a symbolic/conceptual level do not count as a sensory tool (or a sensory substitution device) and nor would a device such as CCTV which, although capturing raw sensory information, would not meet a conventional definition of a tool. With this approach, we hope to avoid the circularity inherent in previous attempts at defining sensory substitution and provide a better starting point to explore the effects of sensory tools, more generally, on the functioning of the nervous system.

scholarly journals Backward spatial perception can be augmented through a novel visual-to-auditory sensory substitution algorithm

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ophir Netzer ◽  
Benedetta Heimler ◽  
Amir Shur ◽  
Tomer Behor ◽  
Amir Amedi
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Perception ◽  
Sensory Information ◽  
Sensory Systems ◽  
Sensory Substitution ◽  
Sensory Augmentation ◽  
Visual Spatial ◽  
Sensory Modalities ◽  
Human Perceptions ◽  
Key Features ◽  
Spatial Fields

AbstractCan humans extend and augment their natural perceptions during adulthood? Here, we address this fascinating question by investigating the extent to which it is possible to successfully augment visual spatial perception to include the backward spatial field (a region where humans are naturally blind) via other sensory modalities (i.e., audition). We thus developed a sensory-substitution algorithm, the “Topo-Speech” which conveys identity of objects through language, and their exact locations via vocal-sound manipulations, namely two key features of visual spatial perception. Using two different groups of blindfolded sighted participants, we tested the efficacy of this algorithm to successfully convey location of objects in the forward or backward spatial fields following ~ 10 min of training. Results showed that blindfolded sighted adults successfully used the Topo-Speech to locate objects on a 3 × 3 grid either positioned in front of them (forward condition), or behind their back (backward condition). Crucially, performances in the two conditions were entirely comparable. This suggests that novel spatial sensory information conveyed via our existing sensory systems can be successfully encoded to extend/augment human perceptions. The implications of these results are discussed in relation to spatial perception, sensory augmentation and sensory rehabilitation.

scholarly journals Neuroligin dependence of pharyngeal pumping reveals an extrapharyngeal modulation of Caenorhabditis elegans feeding

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Calahorro ◽  
Francesca Keefe ◽  
James Dillon ◽  
Lindy Holden-Dye ◽  
Vincent O’Connor
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Body Wall ◽  
Neural Circuits ◽  
Orthologous Gene ◽  
Sensory Cues ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Sensory Modalities ◽  
Pharyngeal Pumping

ABSTRACTThe integration of distinct sensory modalities is essential for behavioural decision making. In C. elegans this process is coordinated by neural circuits that integrate sensory cues from the environment to generate an appropriate behaviour at the appropriate output muscles. Food is a multimodal cue that impacts on the microcircuits to modulating feeding and foraging drivers at the level of the pharyngeal and body wall muscle respectively. When food triggers an upregulation in pharyngeal pumping it allows the effective ingestion of food. Here we show that a C. elegans mutant in the single orthologous gene of human neuroligins, nlg-1 are defective in food induced pumping. This is not explained by an inability to sense food, as nlg-1 mutants are not defective in chemotaxis towards bacteria. In addition, we show that neuroligin is widely expressed in the nervous system including AIY, ADE, ALA, URX and HSN neurones. Interestingly, despite the deficit in pharyngeal pumping neuroligin is not expressed within the pharyngeal neuromuscular network, which suggests an extrapharyngeal regulation of this circuit. We resolve electrophysiologically the neuroligin contribution to the pharyngeal circuit by mimicking a food-dependent pumping, and show that the nlg-1 phenotype is similar to mutants impaired in GABAergic and/or glutamatergic signalling. We suggest that neuroligin organizes extrapharyngeal circuits that regulate the pharynx. These observations based on the molecular and cellular determinants of feeding are consistent with the emerging role of neuroligin in discretely impacting functional circuits underpinning complex behaviours.

scholarly journals Behavioral role of PACAP signaling reflects its selective distribution in glutamatergic and GABAergic neuronal subpopulations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Limei Zhang ◽  
Vito S. Hernández ◽  
Charles R. Gerfen ◽  
Sunny Z. Jiang ◽  
Lilian Zavala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
Neuronal Markers ◽  
Glutamatergic Neurons ◽  
Sensory Modalities ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
Knock Out Mice ◽  
Transporter Expression

AbstractThe neuropeptide PACAP, acting as a co-transmitter, increases neuronal excitability, which may enhance anxiety and arousal associated with threat conveyed by multiple sensory modalities. The distribution of neurons expressing PACAP and its receptor, PAC1, throughout the mouse nervous system was determined, in register with expression of glutamatergic and GABAergic neuronal markers, to develop a coherent chemoanatomical picture of PACAP’s role in brain motor responses to sensory input. A circuit role for PACAP was tested by observing fos activation of brain neurons after olfactory threat cue in wild type and PACAP knockout mice. Neuronal activation, and behavioral response, were blunted in PACAP knock-out mice, accompanied by sharply down-regulated vesicular transporter expression in both GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons expressing PACAP and its receptor. This report signals a new perspective on the role of neuropeptide signaling in supporting excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission in the nervous system within functionally coherent polysynaptic circuits.

scholarly journals Proprioception Has Limited Influence on Tactile Reference Frame Selection

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Or Yizhar ◽  
Galit Buchs ◽  
Benedetta Heimler ◽  
Doron Friedman ◽  
Amir Amedi
Keyword(s):  
Reference Frame ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Spatial Location ◽  
Sensory Substitution ◽  
Visual Modality ◽  
Localization Task ◽  
Sensory Modalities ◽  
Reference Frame Selection ◽  
Proprioceptive Inputs

ABSTRACTPerceiving the spatial location and physical dimensions of objects that we touch is crucial for goal-directed actions. To achieve this, our brain transforms skin-based coordinates into a reference frame by integrating visual and proprioceptive cues, a process known as tactile remapping. In the current study, we examine the role of proprioception in the remapping process when information from the more dominant visual modality is withheld. We developed a new visual-to-touch sensory substitution device and asked participants to perform a spatial localization task in three different arm postures that included posture switches between blocks of trials. We observed that in the absence of visual information novel proprioceptive inputs can be overridden after switching postures. This behavior demonstrates effective top-down modulations of proprioception and points to the unequal contribution of different sensory modalities to tactile remapping.

scholarly journals Behavioral role of PACAP signaling reflects its selective distribution in glutamatergic and GABAergic neuronal subpopulations

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Limei Zhang ◽  
Vito S Hernandez ◽  
Charles R Gerfen ◽  
Sunny Z Jiang ◽  
Lilian Zavala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
Neuronal Markers ◽  
Glutamatergic Neurons ◽  
Sensory Modalities ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
Knock Out Mice ◽  
Transporter Expression

The neuropeptide PACAP, acting as a co-transmitter, increases neuronal excitability, which may enhance anxiety and arousal associated with threat conveyed by multiple sensory modalities. The distribution of neurons expressing PACAP and its receptor, PAC1, throughout the mouse nervous system was determined, in register with expression of glutamatergic and GABAergic neuronal markers, to develop a coherent chemoanatomical picture of PACAP role in brain motor responses to sensory input. A circuit role for PACAP was tested by observing Fos activation of brain neurons after olfactory threat cue in wild-type and PACAP knockout mice. Neuronal activation and behavioral response, were blunted in PACAP knock-out mice, accompanied by sharply downregulated vesicular transporter expression in both GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons expressing PACAP and its receptor. This report signals a new perspective on the role of neuropeptide signaling in supporting excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission in the nervous system within functionally coherent polysynaptic circuits.

The Process of Distal Attribution Illuminated Through Studies of Sensory Substitution

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 421-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jess Hartcher-O’Brien ◽  
Malika Auvray
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
General Rule ◽  
External World ◽  
Sensory Substitution ◽  
External Object ◽  
Contributing Factors

When we interact with objects in our environment, as a general rule we are not aware of the proximal stimulation they provide, but we directly experience the external object. This process of assigning an external cause is known as distal attribution. It is extremely difficult to measure how distal attribution emerges because it arises so early in life and appears to be automatic. Sensory substitution systems give us the possibility to measure the process as it occurs online. With these devices, objects in our environment produce novel proximal stimulation patterns and individuals have to establish the link between the proximal stimulation and the distal object. This review disentangles the contributing factors that allow the nervous system to assign a distal cause, thereby creating the experience of an external world. In particular, it highlights the role of the assumption of a stable world, the role of movement, and finally that of calibration. From the existing sensory substitution literature it appears that distal attribution breaks down when one of these principles is violated and as such the review provides an important piece to the puzzle of distal attribution.

The role of the sympathetic and sensory nervous system in peritoneal endometriotic lesions

2011 ◽  
Vol 71 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Arnold ◽  
ML Barcena de Arellano ◽  
C Rüster ◽  
A Schneider ◽  
S Mechsner
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Sensory Nervous System

Infidelity as Manic Defence

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelley Nathans
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Material ◽  
Theoretical Issues

Using a contemporary Kleinian psychoanalytic model, this paper explores some important theoretical issues relevant to understanding infidelity for the couple psychotherapist. The main focus of this paper is on the problems that one or both of the partners in a couple may have with mourning past or impending loss, and the consequent infidelity that may result from a manic attempt to replace depression or psychic pain with excitement. The concepts of the oedipal situation, triangulation, mourning, and manic defence are outlined in terms of the implications for understanding infidelity. The importance of viewing infidelity as possibly reflecting a range of psychological dilemmas across the developmental spectrum is emphasised. Clinical material is used to illustrate the role of unresolved pre-oedipal and oedipal issues, manic defences, and the ensuing triangulations that may develop, providing the psychic structures for infidelity.

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