Modulation of vestibular input by short-term head-down bed rest affects somatosensory perception: implications for space missions
IntroductionOn Earth, self-produced somatosensory stimuli are typically perceived as less intense than externally generated stimuli of the same intensity, a phenomenon referred to as somatosensory attenuation (SA). Although this phenomenon arises from the integration of multisensory signals, the spe...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Neural Circuits |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncir.2023.1197278/full |
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| author | Roberto Gammeri Adriana Salatino Maria Pyasik Emanuele Cirillo Claudio Zavattaro Hilary Serra Lorenzo Pia Donna R. Roberts Anna Berti Anna Berti Raffaella Ricci |
| author_facet | Roberto Gammeri Adriana Salatino Maria Pyasik Emanuele Cirillo Claudio Zavattaro Hilary Serra Lorenzo Pia Donna R. Roberts Anna Berti Anna Berti Raffaella Ricci |
| author_sort | Roberto Gammeri |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionOn Earth, self-produced somatosensory stimuli are typically perceived as less intense than externally generated stimuli of the same intensity, a phenomenon referred to as somatosensory attenuation (SA). Although this phenomenon arises from the integration of multisensory signals, the specific contribution of the vestibular system and the sense of gravity to somatosensory cognition underlying distinction between self-generated and externally generated sensations remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated whether temporary modulation of the gravitational input by head-down tilt bed rest (HDBR)–a well-known Earth-based analog of microgravity—might significantly affect somatosensory perception of self- and externally generated stimuli.MethodsIn this study, 40 healthy participants were tested using short-term HDBR. Participants received a total of 40 non-painful self- and others generated electrical stimuli (20 self- and 20 other-generated stimuli) in an upright and HDBR position while blindfolded. After each stimulus, they were asked to rate the perceived intensity of the stimulation on a Likert scale.ResultsSomatosensory stimulations were perceived as significantly less intense during HDBR compared to upright position, regardless of the agent administering the stimulus. In addition, the magnitude of SA in upright position was negatively correlated with the participants’ somatosensory threshold. Based on the direction of SA in the upright position, participants were divided in two subgroups. In the subgroup experiencing SA, the intensity rating of stimulations generated by others decreased significantly during HDBR, leading to the disappearance of the phenomenon of SA. In the second subgroup, on the other hand, reversed SA was not affected by HDBR.ConclusionModulation of the gravitational input by HDBR produced underestimation of somatosensory stimuli. Furthermore, in participants experiencing SA, the reduction of vestibular inputs by HDBR led to the disappearance of the SA phenomenon. These findings provide new insights into the role of the gravitational input in somatosensory perception and have important implications for astronauts who are exposed to weightlessness during space missions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T23:11:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-90229910e25649b5b0445db62c83ff9c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1662-5110 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T23:11:42Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Neural Circuits |
| spelling | doaj.art-90229910e25649b5b0445db62c83ff9c2023-07-18T01:15:32ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neural Circuits1662-51102023-07-011710.3389/fncir.2023.11972781197278Modulation of vestibular input by short-term head-down bed rest affects somatosensory perception: implications for space missionsRoberto Gammeri0Adriana Salatino1Maria Pyasik2Emanuele Cirillo3Claudio Zavattaro4Hilary Serra5Lorenzo Pia6Donna R. Roberts7Anna Berti8Anna Berti9Raffaella Ricci10Space, Attention and Action (SAN) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, ItalySpace, Attention and Action (SAN) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, ItalySpAtial, Motor and Bodily Awareness (SAMBA) Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, ItalySpace, Attention and Action (SAN) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, ItalySpace, Attention and Action (SAN) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, ItalySpace, Attention and Action (SAN) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, ItalySpAtial, Motor and Bodily Awareness (SAMBA) Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, ItalyDepartment of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United StatesSpace, Attention and Action (SAN) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, ItalySpAtial, Motor and Bodily Awareness (SAMBA) Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, ItalySpace, Attention and Action (SAN) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, ItalyIntroductionOn Earth, self-produced somatosensory stimuli are typically perceived as less intense than externally generated stimuli of the same intensity, a phenomenon referred to as somatosensory attenuation (SA). Although this phenomenon arises from the integration of multisensory signals, the specific contribution of the vestibular system and the sense of gravity to somatosensory cognition underlying distinction between self-generated and externally generated sensations remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated whether temporary modulation of the gravitational input by head-down tilt bed rest (HDBR)–a well-known Earth-based analog of microgravity—might significantly affect somatosensory perception of self- and externally generated stimuli.MethodsIn this study, 40 healthy participants were tested using short-term HDBR. Participants received a total of 40 non-painful self- and others generated electrical stimuli (20 self- and 20 other-generated stimuli) in an upright and HDBR position while blindfolded. After each stimulus, they were asked to rate the perceived intensity of the stimulation on a Likert scale.ResultsSomatosensory stimulations were perceived as significantly less intense during HDBR compared to upright position, regardless of the agent administering the stimulus. In addition, the magnitude of SA in upright position was negatively correlated with the participants’ somatosensory threshold. Based on the direction of SA in the upright position, participants were divided in two subgroups. In the subgroup experiencing SA, the intensity rating of stimulations generated by others decreased significantly during HDBR, leading to the disappearance of the phenomenon of SA. In the second subgroup, on the other hand, reversed SA was not affected by HDBR.ConclusionModulation of the gravitational input by HDBR produced underestimation of somatosensory stimuli. Furthermore, in participants experiencing SA, the reduction of vestibular inputs by HDBR led to the disappearance of the SA phenomenon. These findings provide new insights into the role of the gravitational input in somatosensory perception and have important implications for astronauts who are exposed to weightlessness during space missions.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncir.2023.1197278/fullvestibular systemsensory attenuationsomatosensory perceptionhead-down bed resttactile perception |
| spellingShingle | Roberto Gammeri Adriana Salatino Maria Pyasik Emanuele Cirillo Claudio Zavattaro Hilary Serra Lorenzo Pia Donna R. Roberts Anna Berti Anna Berti Raffaella Ricci Modulation of vestibular input by short-term head-down bed rest affects somatosensory perception: implications for space missions Frontiers in Neural Circuits vestibular system sensory attenuation somatosensory perception head-down bed rest tactile perception |
| title | Modulation of vestibular input by short-term head-down bed rest affects somatosensory perception: implications for space missions |
| title_full | Modulation of vestibular input by short-term head-down bed rest affects somatosensory perception: implications for space missions |
| title_fullStr | Modulation of vestibular input by short-term head-down bed rest affects somatosensory perception: implications for space missions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modulation of vestibular input by short-term head-down bed rest affects somatosensory perception: implications for space missions |
| title_short | Modulation of vestibular input by short-term head-down bed rest affects somatosensory perception: implications for space missions |
| title_sort | modulation of vestibular input by short term head down bed rest affects somatosensory perception implications for space missions |
| topic | vestibular system sensory attenuation somatosensory perception head-down bed rest tactile perception |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncir.2023.1197278/full |
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