Abstract
Where are my hands? The brain can answer this question using sensory
information arising from vision, proprioception, or touch. Other sources
of
information about the position of our hands can be derived from multisensory
interactions (or potential interactions) with our close environment,
such as when
we grasp or avoid objects. The pioneering study of multisensory representations
of peripersonal space was published in Behavioural Brain Research
almost 30
years ago 70. More recently, neurophysiological, neuroimaging,
neuropsychological, and behavioural studies have contributed a wealth
of
evidence concerning hand-centred representations of objects in peripersonal
space. This evidence is examined here in detail. In particular, we
focus on the
use of artificial dummy hands as powerful instruments to manipulate
the brains
representation of hand position, peripersonal space, and of hand ownership.
We
also review recent studies of the rubber hand illusion and related
phenomena,
such as the visual capture of touch, and the recalibration of hand
position sense,
and discuss their findings in the light of research on peripersonal
space. Finally,
we propose a simple model that situates the rubber hand illusion
in the
neurophysiological framework of multisensory hand-centred representations
of
space
Description
diverse cognitive systems bib
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