by M. Bassolino ; M. Franza ; J. Bello Ruiz ; M. Pinardi ; T. Schmidlin ; M.A. Stephan ; M. Solcà ; A. Serino ; O. Blanke @ European Journal of Neuroscience
Researchers tested feeling of embodiment by non-invasive brain stimulation. Instead of traditional visual, tactile or spacial illusions, scientists used magnetic (TMS) and visual (BR) stimulus to interact directly with the body’s representation in the brain.
Paper shows that ” is possible to induce embodiment for a virtual hand by activating the corticospinal sensorimotor system via TMS, without motor‐related components of volition, planning or anticipation.”
This “may be clinically relevant for the evaluation and treatment of motor and embodiment disorders (Berti et al., 2005; Schwoebel & Coslett, 2005; Vallar & Ronchi, 2009; Bartolo et al., 2014; Bassolino et al., 2015; Bolognini et al., 2015), avoiding direct application of bodily cues and movement that may be perceived as painful and limit therapeutic options (i.e. allodynia in complex regional pain syndrome).”
No doubt entertainment and advertising industries will find many non-clinical applications if this ever gets readily available.
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