Tactile sensory control of object manipulation in humans

• Dexterous object manipulation is a hallmark of human skill. The versatility of the human hands in manipulation tasks depends on both the anatomical structure of the hands and the neural machinery that controls them. Research during the last 20 years has led to important advances in our understanding of the sensorimotor control mechanisms that underlie dexterous object manipulation. This article focuses on the sensorimotor control of fingertip actions with special emphasis on the role of tactile sensory mechanisms. It highlights the importance of sensory predictions, especially related to mechanical contact events around which manipulation tasks are organized, and analyzes how such predictions are influenced by tactile afferent signals recorded in single neurons in awake humans.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Fysiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Physiology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Eye movements

Feedforward sensory control

Grasp stability

Grip force

Human hand

Internal representation of objects

Manipulation

Motor control

Movement

Procedural memory

Saccades

Sensorimotor predictions

Sensorimotor transformation

Tactile afferents

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kap (subject category)