Neurobiology of the system of internal representation of own body: introduction to the problem and applied aspects

The role of the internal representation in the organization of motor behavior and sensory-motor interaction is discussed on the basis of recent publications. The brain won’t be able to handle complex spatial-oriented movements, affecting many parts of the body, if the CNS does not create an internal representation of the controlled object – its internal model. The system of internal representation provides humans with such feelings as a sense of being inside one’s own body, a sense of control of one’s own actions, a sense of boundary between «me» and «not me», and body parts’ belonging to a someone. The internal model provides operative control through such parameters as a common center of mass, which cannot be directly measured by any receptors. In addition to operative part the internal model should certainly include the conservative part, which is closely linked with persistent, immutable elements of the body scheme. The internal model of the body is not a unit, optimizing regulation, which, though less precise, could be accomplished without it. This model should be considered as essential and indispensable element in the regulation of posture and movement.

1. Aleong R., Paus T. Neural Correlates of Human Body Perception // Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience. 2009. Vol. 22. № 3. P. 482–495.
2. Shahar A. Neural Basis of Embodiment: Distinct Contributions of Temporoparietal Junction and Extrastriate Body Area / A Shahar., G. Thut,      C. Mohr, C.M. Miche, O. Blanke // The Journal of Neuroscience. 2006 Vol. 26. № 31. Aug. P. 8074–8081.
3. Aspell J.E. Differential human brain activation by vertical and horizontal global visual textures / J.E. Aspell,·J. Wattam-Bell,·J. Atkinson,·O.J. Braddick // Experimental Brain Research. 2010. Vol. 202. № 3. P. 669–679.
4. Berlucchi G., Aglioti S.M. The body in the brain revisited // Experimental Brain Research. 2010. Vol. 200. № 1. P. 25–35.
5. Blanke O., Mohr C. Out-of-body experience, heautoscopy, and autoscopic hallucination of neurological origin. Implications for neurocognitive mechanisms of corporeal awareness and self consciousness // Brain Research Reviews. 2005. Vol. 50. № 1. P. 184–199.
6. Carruthers G. Types of body representation and the sense of embodiment // Consciousness and Cognition. 2008. Vol. 17. Iss. 4. P. 1302–1316.
7. Dijkerman H.C., de Haan E.H.F. Somatosensory processes subserving perception and action // Behavioral and brain sciences. 2007. Vol. 30. Iss. 2. P. 189–239.
8. Foss-Feig J.H. An extended multisensory temporal binding window in autism spectrum disorders / J.H. Foss-Feig,·L.D. Kwakye, C.J. Cascio,·C.P. Burnette, H. Kadivar, W.L. Stone, M.T. Wallace // Experimental Brain Research. 2010. Vol. 203. № 2. P. 381–389.
9. Grave de D.D.J., Bruno N. The effect of the Müller-Lyer illusion on saccades is modulated by spatial predictability and saccadic latency // Experimental Brain Research. 2010. Vol. 203. № 4. P. 671–679.
10. Guerraz M. Perceived versus actual head-on-trunk orientation during arm movement control / M. Guerraz, J. Navarro, F. Ferrero, J. Cremieux, J. Blouin // Experimental Brain Research. 2006. Vol. 172. № 2. P. 221–229.
11. Horst A.C., van Lier R.,·Steenbergen B. Mental rotation task of hands: differential influence number of rotational axes // Experimental Brain Research. 2010. Vol. 203. № 2. P. 347–354.
12. Kammers M.P.M., van der Ham I.J.M., Dijkerman H.C. Dissociating body representations in healthy individuals: Differential effects of a kinaesthetic illusion on perception and action // Neuropsychologia. 2006. Vol. 44. Iss. 12. P. 2430–2436.
13. Kirsch W., Hoffmann J. Asymmetrical intermanual transfer of learning in a sensorimotor task // Experimental Brain Research. 2010. Vol. 202. № 4. P. 927–934.
14. Poliakoff E. Introduction to special issue on body representation: feeling, seeing, moving and observing // Experimental Brain Research. 2010. Vol. 204. № 3. P. 289–293.
15. Priot A.-E. Adaptation of egocentric distance perception under telestereoscopic viewing within reaching space / A.-E. Priot, R. Laboissiere, O. Sillan, C.Roumes, C. Prablanc // Experimental Brain Research. 2010. Vol. 202. № 4. P. 825–836.
16. Schmitz G. Adaptation of eye and hand movements to target displacements of different size / G. Schmitz, O. Bock., V. Grigorova, M. Ilieva // Experimental Brain Research. 2010. Vol. 203. № 2. P. 479–484.
17. Tsakiris M. My body in the brain: A neurocognitive model of body-ownership // Neuropsychologia. 2010. Vol. 48. Iss. P. 703–712.
18. Verleger R. The left visual-field advantage in rapid visual presentation is amplified rather than reduced by posterior-parietal rTMS / R. Verleger, F. Moeller, M. Kuniecki, K.S. Migasiewicz, S. Groppa, H.R. Siebner // Experimental Brain Research. 2010. Vol. 203. № 2. P. 355–365.
19. Vignemont F. Body schema and body image – Pros and cons // Neuropsychologia. 2010. Vol. 48. Iss. 3. P. 669–80.