What's Happening?
A study from Karolinska Institutet, published in Nature Communications, has revealed how rhythmic brain waves, specifically alpha oscillations, help distinguish between one's own body and the external world. The research involved 106 participants and used
a combination of behavioral experiments, brain recordings, and computational modeling. The study found that the frequency of alpha waves in the parietal cortex determines how precisely individuals perceive their body as their own. This discovery provides new insights into how the brain integrates sensory signals to create a coherent sense of bodily self.
Why It's Important?
Understanding the brain's ability to differentiate self from non-self is crucial for addressing psychiatric conditions where this sense is disturbed, such as schizophrenia. The findings could lead to improved treatments and therapies for such conditions. Additionally, the research has implications for the development of better prosthetic limbs and more realistic virtual reality experiences, as it enhances the understanding of how the brain processes sensory information to create a sense of body ownership.
