ergenzin at bgsm.edu
Mon Jun 15 13:07:57 EST 1998
> The function of a sensory neuron depends on his input! When the main
> input comes from the arm after hand amputation then it is an 'arm
> neuron' now. But of cause this has nothing to do with perception.
> Imaging, a higher neuron gets input form this neuron (that has now input
> from the arm) and this higher neuron also gets some visual input, it
> would be able to associate the visual input with the tactile input and
> could learn, that the former 'hand neuron' now fires after tactile
> stimulation of the arm. The primary sensory neuron does not 'know'
> where the input comes from. Neurons from higher - associative - areas
> give a function to this. The point is, the higher areas are responsable
> for the perception, the primary sensory neurons do the input selection.
> DR. BEN GODDE (Benjamin.Godde at neuroinformatik.ruhr-uni-bochum.de)
> Institut f. Neuroinformatik, Ruhr-Universitaet, D-44780 Bochum
> phone: + (0)234 7007975 fax: + (0)234 7094209
Yes, but do the higher order association areas learn that the input has
changed? If so, then why are there long-lasting phantom sensations? Why
don't all amputees go through a period of phantom sensation which
goes away after the higher order areas learn that the input is coming from
a different portion of the body surface?
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