Reproducible activation in BA2, 1 and 3b associated with texture discrimination in healthy volunteers over time

Abstract

We aimed to quantify specific location and reproducibility of brain activation associated with discrimination of a moving textured surface in adult healthy volunteers over a 6-month interval. A sensory stimulation device was developed to provide a texture stimulus to the fingertips at a controlled speed and pressure. Repeat measurements of regional cerebral blood flow, using positron emission tomography (PET), were obtained in 10 healthy individuals, aged 33 to 80 years (mean = 55.8 years), at scanning sessions separated by 6 months. Stimulation and rest conditions were presented to either the right, dominant (n = 5) or left non-dominant (n = 5) hand. Activation location was objectively quan..