Neural Correlates of Social Touch Processing: An fMRI Study on Brain Functional Connectivity
Background: The significance of tactile stimulation in human social development and personal interaction is well documented; however, the underlying cerebral processes remain under-researched. This study employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the neur...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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IMR Press
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Integrative Neuroscience |
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| Online Access: | https://www.imrpress.com/journal/JIN/24/1/10.31083/JIN26280 |
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| author | Vladimir Khorev Semen Kurkin Larisa Mayorova Galina Portnova Anastasia Kushnir Alexander Hramov |
| author_facet | Vladimir Khorev Semen Kurkin Larisa Mayorova Galina Portnova Anastasia Kushnir Alexander Hramov |
| author_sort | Vladimir Khorev |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The significance of tactile stimulation in human social development and personal interaction is well documented; however, the underlying cerebral processes remain under-researched. This study employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the neural correlates of social touch processing, with a particular focus on the functional connectivity associated with the aftereffects of touch. Methods: A total of 27 experimental subjects were recruited for the study, all of whom underwent a 5-minute calf and foot massage prior to undergoing resting-state fMRI. Additionally, 11 healthy controls participated solely in the resting-state fMRI recording. A functional connectivity network analysis was conducted to examine the alterations in connections between different brain regions following massage. Results: The findings indicated the involvement of discrete neural networks in the processing of social touch, with notable discrepancies in functional connectivity observed between the experimental and control groups. The study revealed that the control group exhibited a higher degree of connectivity within a subnetwork comprising 25 connections and 23 nodes than the experimental group following the massage intervention. The experimental group showed hypoactivation in this subnetwork following the massage. The left anterior pulvinar thalamus and the right pregenual anterior cingulate cortex, which serve as the key hubs within this subnetwork, exhibited higher clustering and increased node strength in the control group. Relatively small and unequal sample sizes are the limitations of the study that may affect the generalizability of the results. Conclusions: These findings elucidate the neural underpinnings of tactile experiences and their potential impact on behavior and emotional state. Gaining insight into these mechanisms could inform therapeutic approaches that utilize touch to mitigate stress and enhance mental health. From a practical standpoint, our results have significant implications for the development of sensory stimulation strategies for patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness, sensory loss, autism spectrum disorders, or limited access to tactile interaction in their upper extremities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8a49e7290bc9469c8cecd6e115bcf2b5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0219-6352 1757-448X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | IMR Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Integrative Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj-art-8a49e7290bc9469c8cecd6e115bcf2b52025-01-25T07:38:07ZengIMR PressJournal of Integrative Neuroscience0219-63521757-448X2025-01-012412628010.31083/JIN26280S0219-6352(24)00861-1Neural Correlates of Social Touch Processing: An fMRI Study on Brain Functional ConnectivityVladimir Khorev0Semen Kurkin1Larisa Mayorova2Galina Portnova3Anastasia Kushnir4Alexander Hramov5Laboratory for the Study of Tactile Communication, Pushkin State Russian Language Institute, 117485 Moscow, RussiaLaboratory for the Study of Tactile Communication, Pushkin State Russian Language Institute, 117485 Moscow, RussiaLaboratory for the Study of Tactile Communication, Pushkin State Russian Language Institute, 117485 Moscow, RussiaLaboratory for the Study of Tactile Communication, Pushkin State Russian Language Institute, 117485 Moscow, RussiaFederal Research and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitology, 141534 Solnechnogorsk, RussiaLaboratory for the Study of Tactile Communication, Pushkin State Russian Language Institute, 117485 Moscow, RussiaBackground: The significance of tactile stimulation in human social development and personal interaction is well documented; however, the underlying cerebral processes remain under-researched. This study employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the neural correlates of social touch processing, with a particular focus on the functional connectivity associated with the aftereffects of touch. Methods: A total of 27 experimental subjects were recruited for the study, all of whom underwent a 5-minute calf and foot massage prior to undergoing resting-state fMRI. Additionally, 11 healthy controls participated solely in the resting-state fMRI recording. A functional connectivity network analysis was conducted to examine the alterations in connections between different brain regions following massage. Results: The findings indicated the involvement of discrete neural networks in the processing of social touch, with notable discrepancies in functional connectivity observed between the experimental and control groups. The study revealed that the control group exhibited a higher degree of connectivity within a subnetwork comprising 25 connections and 23 nodes than the experimental group following the massage intervention. The experimental group showed hypoactivation in this subnetwork following the massage. The left anterior pulvinar thalamus and the right pregenual anterior cingulate cortex, which serve as the key hubs within this subnetwork, exhibited higher clustering and increased node strength in the control group. Relatively small and unequal sample sizes are the limitations of the study that may affect the generalizability of the results. Conclusions: These findings elucidate the neural underpinnings of tactile experiences and their potential impact on behavior and emotional state. Gaining insight into these mechanisms could inform therapeutic approaches that utilize touch to mitigate stress and enhance mental health. From a practical standpoint, our results have significant implications for the development of sensory stimulation strategies for patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness, sensory loss, autism spectrum disorders, or limited access to tactile interaction in their upper extremities.https://www.imrpress.com/journal/JIN/24/1/10.31083/JIN26280neurosciencetouch processingfmrifunctional connectivityaffective touchmassagesensorimotor integrationanterior cingulate cortexthalamus |
| spellingShingle | Vladimir Khorev Semen Kurkin Larisa Mayorova Galina Portnova Anastasia Kushnir Alexander Hramov Neural Correlates of Social Touch Processing: An fMRI Study on Brain Functional Connectivity Journal of Integrative Neuroscience neuroscience touch processing fmri functional connectivity affective touch massage sensorimotor integration anterior cingulate cortex thalamus |
| title | Neural Correlates of Social Touch Processing: An fMRI Study on Brain Functional Connectivity |
| title_full | Neural Correlates of Social Touch Processing: An fMRI Study on Brain Functional Connectivity |
| title_fullStr | Neural Correlates of Social Touch Processing: An fMRI Study on Brain Functional Connectivity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Neural Correlates of Social Touch Processing: An fMRI Study on Brain Functional Connectivity |
| title_short | Neural Correlates of Social Touch Processing: An fMRI Study on Brain Functional Connectivity |
| title_sort | neural correlates of social touch processing an fmri study on brain functional connectivity |
| topic | neuroscience touch processing fmri functional connectivity affective touch massage sensorimotor integration anterior cingulate cortex thalamus |
| url | https://www.imrpress.com/journal/JIN/24/1/10.31083/JIN26280 |
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