We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
INTEGRA BIOSCIENCES AG

Download Mobile App




Brain Process Underlying Recognition of Hand Gestures Found to Develop Even When Blind

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 16 Sep 2014
Print article
Researchers have discovered by using neuroimaging that activated brain regions of congenitally blind individuals and activated brain regions of sighted individuals use common brain regions when recognizing human hand gestures. They indicated that a region of the neural network that recognizes others’ hand gestures is formed in the same way, even without visual information.

The investigators set out to find out if a distinctive mechanism occurs in the brain of congenitally blind individuals when understanding and learning others’ gestures and whether it is the same process that occurs in sighted individuals. Japanese researchers figured out that activated brain regions of congenitally blind individuals and activated brain regions of sighted individuals share common regions when recognizing human hand gestures. They indicated that a region of the neural network that recognizes others’ hand gestures is formed in the same way even without visual information.

The findings were published July 23, 2014, in the Journal of Neuroscience. Brain processes perceive human bodies from inanimate objects and shows a particular response. A part of a region of the visual cortex region of the brain that processes visual information supports this mechanism. Because visual data are mostly used in perception, this is understandable, however, for perception using haptic information and also for the recognition of one’s own gestures, it has been recently determined that the same brain region is triggered. The investigators believe that there is a mechanism that is formed regardless of the sensory modalities and recognizes human bodies.

Blind and sighted individuals participated in the study of the research group of Assist. Prof. Ryo Kitada of the National Institute for Physiological Sciences, National Institutes of Natural Sciences (Okazaki, Aichi, Japan). With their eyes closed, they were told to touch toy cars, plastic casts of hands, and teapots, and identify the shape. Sighted individuals and blind individuals were found to both make an identification with the same accuracy.

By measuring the activated brain region using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning, for plastic casts of hands and not for teapots or toy cars, the researchers were able to locate a common activated brain region, irrespective of visual experience. However, it also revealed a region showing signs of activity that is dependent on the duration of the visual experience, and that this region acts as a supplement when recognizing hand gestures.

As Assist. Prof. Ryo Kitada noted, “Many individuals are active in many parts of the society even with the loss of their sight as a child. Developmental psychology has been advancing its doctrine based on sighted individuals. I wish this finding will help us grasp how blind individuals understand and learn about others and be seen as an important step in supporting the development of social skills for blind individuals.”

Related Links:

Japanese National Institute for Physiological Sciences


Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
One Step HbA1c Measuring System
GREENCARE A1c
Complement 3 (C3) Test
GPP-100 C3 Kit
New
Gold Member
Fully Automated Cell Density/Viability Analyzer
BioProfile FAST CDV

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: MOF materials efficiently enrich cfDNA and cfRNA in blood through simple operational process (Photo courtesy of Science China Press)

Blood Circulating Nucleic Acid Enrichment Technique Enables Non-Invasive Liver Cancer Diagnosis

The ability to diagnose diseases early can significantly enhance the effectiveness of clinical treatments and improve survival rates. One promising approach for non-invasive early diagnosis is the use... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The OvaCis Rapid Test discriminates benign from malignant epithelial ovarian cysts (Photo courtesy of INEX)

Intra-Operative POC Device Distinguishes Between Benign and Malignant Ovarian Cysts within 15 Minutes

Ovarian cysts represent a significant health issue for women globally, with up to 10% experiencing this condition at some point in their lives. These cysts form when fluid collects within a thin membrane... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.