Object-related visuo-tactile integration in the human cerebellum
Single Paper Presentation

Marcus J. Naumer
Institute of Medical Psychology (IMP), Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Yavor Yalachkov
Institute of Medical Psychology (IMP), Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Andrea Polony
Institute of Medical Psychology (IMP), Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Leonie Ratz
Institute of Medical Psychology (IMP), Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Oliver Doehrmann
Institute of Medical Psychology (IMP), Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Grit Hein
Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, UC Berkeley, USA

Jochen Kaiser
Institute of Medical Psychology (IMP), Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

     Abstract ID Number: 82
     Full text: Not available
     Last modified: May 31, 2007
     Presentation date: 07/06/2007 11:30 AM in Quad General Lecture Theatre
     (View Schedule)

Abstract
While it is widely accepted that temporal and parietal cortices are prominently involved in visuo-tactile integration (VTI), a potential contribution of the human cerebellum remains to be determined. In three fMRI experiments, we presented meaningful (toy animals) and artificial 3D objects (wooden “fribbles”), while controlling for potential cue and motor confounds using a ‘no-stimulus’ baseline condition (M). We searched for VTI regions that were activated by both unimodal visual and tactile conditions (V>M; T>M), and additionally responded more strongly to bimodal visuo-tactile stimulation than to each of the unimodal conditions (VT). Furthermore, we manipulated the side of active touch (left vs. right hand) and the degree of VT (orientation or identity) congruency. The results showed robust, bilateral VTI effects in the lateral cerebellum that were substantially more pronounced during stimulation of the ipsilateral as compared to the contralateral hand and independent of VT congruency or the type of stimulus material. Additional tests for audio-visuo-tactile (AVT) integration in this region showed no significant effects for the A>M and the AVT>VT contrasts. We thus conclude that the role of the lateral cerebellum in the context of multisensory integration might be specific to VTI.