Hand distance modulates the electrophysiological correlates of target selection during a tactile search task.

Abstract

This study investigated whether the N140cc ERP component, described as a possible electrophysiological marker of target selection in touch, was modulated by body posture. Participants performed a tactile search task in which they had to localize a tactile target, presented to the left or right hand, while a simultaneous distractor was delivered to the opposite hand. Importantly, the distance between target and distractor (hands separation) was manipulated in different experimental conditions (near vs. far hands). Results showed reduced errors and enhanced amplitudes of the late N140cc when the hands were far apart than in close proximity. This suggests that the competition between target and distractor is stronger when the hands are close together in the near condition, resulting in a degraded selection process. These findings confirm that the N140cc reflects target selection during the simultaneous presentation of competing stimuli and demonstrate for the first time that the attentional mechanisms indexed by this ERP component are based at least in part on postural representations of the body.