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CT-optimal stimulation modulates somatosensory processing
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  • A. Ribeiro-Carreira,
  • Márcia da-Silva,
  • Ana Rita Pereira,
  • María Carrillo-de-la-Peña,
  • Joana Coutinho,
  • Adriana Sampaio,
  • Alberto González-Villar
A. Ribeiro-Carreira
University of Minho School of Psychology
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Márcia da-Silva
University of Minho School of Psychology
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Ana Rita Pereira
University of Minho School of Psychology
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María Carrillo-de-la-Peña
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Joana Coutinho
University of Minho School of Psychology
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Adriana Sampaio
University of Minho School of Psychology
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Alberto González-Villar
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Facultade de Psicoloxia

Corresponding Author:albertojac.gonzalez@gmail.com

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Abstract

Touch has an affective dimension, conveyed through low-threshold mechanoreceptors known as C-tactile (CT) afferents, which are activated by gentle, caress-like contact. While there is evidence that these fibers modulate nociceptive input, their influence in the processing of other somatosensory afferent activity remains largely unknown. In this study, we explored how slow brushing (CT-optimal stimulation) modulates somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) compared to vibration and no touch in 30 healthy participants. Our results did not show differences across conditions in the amplitude of early SEPs recorded over the somatosensory cortex (N20, P25, N30, and P45). However, a reduced frontocentral P150 SEP component was observed during slow brushing compared to the other conditions. This suggests that early cortical processing of somatosensory information is not affected by brushing. Nonetheless, the reduced P150 amplitude indicates that CT-optimal touch may influence both nociceptive afferents and somatosensory input through the lemniscal system, possibly engaging brain areas involved in attentional and cognitive processing.
04 Oct 2024Submitted to Psychophysiology
05 Oct 2024Submission Checks Completed
05 Oct 2024Assigned to Editor
05 Oct 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
22 Oct 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned