Social Touch: Its Mirror-like Responses and Implications in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases
What is the significance of a touch encoded by slow-conducted unmyelinated C-tactile (CT) fibers? It is the so-called affiliative touch, which has a fundamental social impact. In humans, it has been demonstrated that the affiliative valence of this kind of touch is encoded by a dedicated central net...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-05-01
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| Series: | NeuroSci |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4087/4/2/12 |
| _version_ | 1797593195793612800 |
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| author | Laura Clara Grandi Stefania Bruni |
| author_facet | Laura Clara Grandi Stefania Bruni |
| author_sort | Laura Clara Grandi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | What is the significance of a touch encoded by slow-conducted unmyelinated C-tactile (CT) fibers? It is the so-called affiliative touch, which has a fundamental social impact. In humans, it has been demonstrated that the affiliative valence of this kind of touch is encoded by a dedicated central network, not involved in the encoding of discriminative touch, namely, the “social brain”. Moreover, CT-related touch has significant consequences on the human autonomic system, not present in the case of discriminative touch, which does not involve CT fibers as the modulation of vagal tone. In addition, CT-related touch provokes central effects as well. An interesting finding is that CT-related touch can elicit “mirror-like responses” since there is evidence that we would have the same perception of a caress regardless of whether it would be felt or seen and that the same brain areas would be activated. Information from CT afferents in the posterior insular cortex likely provides a basis for encoding observed caresses. We also explored the application of this kind of touch in unphysiological conditions and in premature newborns. In the present literature review, we aim to (1) examine the effects of CT-related touch at autonomic and central levels and (2) highlight CT-related touch and mirror networks, seeking to draw a line of connection between them. Finally, the review aims to give an overview of the involvement of the CT system in some neurologic and psychiatric diseases. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T02:05:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-98648b3b2842434692031c68c84fc65c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-4087 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T02:05:31Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | NeuroSci |
| spelling | doaj.art-98648b3b2842434692031c68c84fc65c2023-11-18T11:54:50ZengMDPI AGNeuroSci2673-40872023-05-014211813310.3390/neurosci4020012Social Touch: Its Mirror-like Responses and Implications in Neurological and Psychiatric DiseasesLaura Clara Grandi0Stefania Bruni1Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, NeuroMI (Milan Center of Neuroscience), University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, ItalyCentro Cardinal Ferrari, 43012 Fontanellato, ItalyWhat is the significance of a touch encoded by slow-conducted unmyelinated C-tactile (CT) fibers? It is the so-called affiliative touch, which has a fundamental social impact. In humans, it has been demonstrated that the affiliative valence of this kind of touch is encoded by a dedicated central network, not involved in the encoding of discriminative touch, namely, the “social brain”. Moreover, CT-related touch has significant consequences on the human autonomic system, not present in the case of discriminative touch, which does not involve CT fibers as the modulation of vagal tone. In addition, CT-related touch provokes central effects as well. An interesting finding is that CT-related touch can elicit “mirror-like responses” since there is evidence that we would have the same perception of a caress regardless of whether it would be felt or seen and that the same brain areas would be activated. Information from CT afferents in the posterior insular cortex likely provides a basis for encoding observed caresses. We also explored the application of this kind of touch in unphysiological conditions and in premature newborns. In the present literature review, we aim to (1) examine the effects of CT-related touch at autonomic and central levels and (2) highlight CT-related touch and mirror networks, seeking to draw a line of connection between them. Finally, the review aims to give an overview of the involvement of the CT system in some neurologic and psychiatric diseases.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4087/4/2/12social touchCT fibersmirror neuronssocial brainmassage therapy |
| spellingShingle | Laura Clara Grandi Stefania Bruni Social Touch: Its Mirror-like Responses and Implications in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases NeuroSci social touch CT fibers mirror neurons social brain massage therapy |
| title | Social Touch: Its Mirror-like Responses and Implications in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases |
| title_full | Social Touch: Its Mirror-like Responses and Implications in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases |
| title_fullStr | Social Touch: Its Mirror-like Responses and Implications in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases |
| title_full_unstemmed | Social Touch: Its Mirror-like Responses and Implications in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases |
| title_short | Social Touch: Its Mirror-like Responses and Implications in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases |
| title_sort | social touch its mirror like responses and implications in neurological and psychiatric diseases |
| topic | social touch CT fibers mirror neurons social brain massage therapy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4087/4/2/12 |
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