Distinct role of central predictive mechanisms in tactile suppression
Belkis Ezgi Arikan,
Dimitris Voudouris,
Benjamin Straube,
Katja Fiehler
Affiliations
Belkis Ezgi Arikan
Department of Experimental Psychology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Otto-Behaghel Strasse 10F, Philosophikum I, 35394 Giessen, Germany; Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB) of the University of Marburg, Justus Liebig University Giessen and University of Darmstadt, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany; Corresponding author
Dimitris Voudouris
Department of Experimental Psychology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Otto-Behaghel Strasse 10F, Philosophikum I, 35394 Giessen, Germany; Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB) of the University of Marburg, Justus Liebig University Giessen and University of Darmstadt, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
Benjamin Straube
Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB) of the University of Marburg, Justus Liebig University Giessen and University of Darmstadt, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg; Rudolf-Bultmann-Strasse 8, 35039 Marburg, Germany
Katja Fiehler
Department of Experimental Psychology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Otto-Behaghel Strasse 10F, Philosophikum I, 35394 Giessen, Germany; Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB) of the University of Marburg, Justus Liebig University Giessen and University of Darmstadt, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
Summary: Tactile sensitivity on a limb is reduced during movement. This tactile suppression results presumably from central predictive mechanisms that downregulate sensations caused during voluntary action. Suppression also occurs during passive movements, indicating a role for peripheral mechanisms, questioning the predictive nature of suppression. Yet, predictions existing beyond the motor domain (non-motor predictions) can also modulate tactile suppression. This study aimed to disentangle central motor predictive and peripheral feedback mechanisms while accounting for non-motor predictions. Participants detected tactile stimuli on their limb shortly before it moved in an active or passive manner. Passive movements were either fully (100%) or partially (50%) predictable. We found tactile suppression during both active and passive movements irrespective of whether the passive movements were predictable. Importantly, tactile suppression was stronger in active than passive movements highlighting the specific role of central predictive mechanisms.
