https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-024-01330-z
Regular Article
Fmri study of changes in large-scale brain networks during affective touch
1
Laboratory for the Study of Tactile Communication, Pushkin State Russian Language Institute, Ac. Volgin str., 6, 117485, Moscow, Russia
2
Federal Research and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitology, Lytkino, 777, 141534, Solnechnogorsk, Russia
3
Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of Russian Academy of Science, 5A Butlerova St., 117485, Moscow, Russia
Received:
22
August
2024
Accepted:
5
September
2024
Published online:
16
September
2024
The importance of touch in human social development and interpersonal interactions is widely recognized, yet the underlying neurological processes remain relatively unexplored. To better understand these mechanisms, we analyzed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data to investigate how affective touch influences brain activity. Our study employed independent component analysis (ICA) and cluster analysis to identify brain components that exhibit significant changes following tactile stimulation. These components were then mapped to large-scale brain networks, focusing on those with the most pronounced spatial intensity differences. Our findings highlight the crucial role of distinct brain networks in processing tactile sensations. Notably, we observed significant changes in the default mode network (DMN) activity, particularly in the control group, after the touch experiment. Additionally, specific alterations were detected in the amygdala, cuneus, and orbitofrontal cortex. This study sheds light on the neurological foundations of tactile experiences and their potential impact on behavior and emotional states. Understanding these processes could inform the development of therapeutic strategies that leverage touch to alleviate stress and enhance mental health.
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to EDP Sciences, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2024. Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
