Work

Quantitative Assessment of Cortical Auditory-tactile Processing in Children with Disabilities

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: Objective and easy measurement of sensory processing is extremely difficult in nonverbal or vulnerable pediatric patients. We developed a new methodology to quantitatively assess children's cortical processing of light touch, speech sounds and the multisensory processing of the 2 stimuli, without requiring active subject participation or causing children discomfort. To accomplish this we developed a dual channel, time and strength calibrated air puff stimulator that allows both tactile stimulation and sham control. We combined this with the use of event-related potential methodology to allow for high temporal resolution of signals from the primary and secondary somatosensory cortices as well as higher order processing. This methodology also allowed us to measure a multisensory response to auditory-tactile stimulation.

Source: Journal of Visualized Experiments

DOI: 10.3791/51054

Authors: Nathalie L. Maitre, Alexandra P. Key

Institutions: Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital, Vanderbilt University

Language: English

Topic: Multisensory perception and integration

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Center for Research Resources, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences