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Cited by 330Tactile and Sensory InteractionsPain Mechanisms and TreatmentsIon Channels and Receptors

Whole‐body mapping of spatial acuity for pain and touch

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Mancini, Flavia, Bauleo, Armando, Cole, Jonathan, Lui, Fausta, Porro, Carlo A., Haggard, Patrick, Iannetti, Gian Domenico·2014·Annals of Neurology
DOI 10.1002/ana.24179PMC PMC4143958
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Abstract

Objective: Tactile spatial acuity is routinely tested in neurology to assess the state of the dorsal column system. In contrast, spatial acuity for pain is not assessed, having never been systematically characteri z ed. More than a century after the initial description of tactile acuity across the body, we provide the first systematic whole‐body mapping of spatial acuity for pain. Methods: We evaluated the 2‐point discrimination thresholds for both nociceptive‐selective and tactile stimuli across several skin regions. Thresholds were estimated using pairs of simultaneous stimuli, and also using successive stimuli. Results and interpretation: These two approaches produced convergent results. The fingertip was the area of highest spatial acuity, for both pain and touch. On the glabrous skin of the hand, the gradient of spatial acuity for pain followed that observed for touch. On the hairy skin of the upper limb, spatial acuity for pain and touch followed opposite proximal–distal gradients, consistent with the known innervation density of this body territory. Finally, by testing spatial acuity for pain in a rare participant completely lacking Aβ fibers, we demonstrate that spatial acuity for pain does not rely on a functioning system of tactile primary afferents. This study represents the first systematic characterization of spatial acuity for pain across multiple regions of the body surface. Ann Neurol 2014;75:917–924

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  • Tactile acuity is higher on the foot sole compared with the foot dorsum or other regions on the leg, suggesting a higher innervation density in this region.

    “Second, tactile acuity is higher on the foot sole compared with the foot dorsum or other regions on the leg (Mancini et al. 2014), suggesting a higher innervation density in this region, in line with our estimates for hairy skin (see Hairy Skin on Arms, Trunk, and Legs below).”

    From Tactile innervation densities across the whole body (2020) · cites this paper as Mancini et al. 2014

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Research works printed but not linked: 31

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Authors
Mancini, F., Bauleo, A., Cole, J., Lui, F., Porro, C. A., Haggard, P., & Iannetti, G. D.
Affiliations
  • University College London (GB)
  • University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (IT)
  • Poole Hospital (GB)
Corresponding author
Iannetti, Gian Domenico
ORCID
Venue
Annals of Neurology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2014-06
Volume
75
Issue
6
Pages
917-924
ISSN
  • 0364-5134 (ISSN-L)
  • 1531-8249
DOI
10.1002/ana.24179
PMC
PMC4143958
OpenAlex
W1608940949
Cited by
330
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 29 · 2025: 33 · 2024: 42 · 2023: 39 · 2022: 39 · 2021: 36 · 2020: 37 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 25 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 1
FWCI
5.77
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Annals of Neurology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Bournemouth University Research Online (Bournemouth University) (submittedVersion)
  • IRIS UNIMORE (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
  • Cambridge University Engineering Department Publications Database (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Wellcome Trust (094863/Z/10/Z)
  • ESRC (ES/ J023140/1)
  • EU FP7 VERE WP1 (257695)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Tactile and Sensory Interactions
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Sensory Systems › Ion Channels and Receptors
Keywords
tactile spatial acuity, two-point discrimination, nociception, Aβ fibers, primary afferents, proximal-distal gradient, fingertip, glabrous skin, hairy skin, body mapping, somatosensory perception
MeSH terms
Adult, Discrimination, Psychological, Female, Fingers, Forehead, Humans, Male, Pain, Physical Stimulation, Sensory Thresholds, Skin, Space Perception, Touch, Young Adult

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