Modulation of Visually Induced Self-motion Illusions by ɑ Transcranial Electric Stimulation over the Superior Parietal Cortex

Abstract The growing popularity of virtual reality systems has led to a renewed interest in understanding the neurophysiological correlates of the illusion of self-motion (vection), a phenomenon that can be both intentionally induced or avoided in such systems, depending on the application. Recent r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of cognitive neuroscience 2023-10, p.1-12
Main Authors: Harquel, Sylvain, Cian, Corinne, Torlay, Laurent, Cousin, Emilie, Barraud, Pierre-Alain, Bougerol, Thierry, Guerraz, Michel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cognitive science
Neuroscience
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Abstract The growing popularity of virtual reality systems has led to a renewed interest in understanding the neurophysiological correlates of the illusion of self-motion (vection), a phenomenon that can be both intentionally induced or avoided in such systems, depending on the application. Recent research has highlighted the modulation of ɑ power oscillations over the superior parietal cortex during vection, suggesting the occurrence of inhibitory mechanisms in the sensorimotor and vestibular functional networks to resolve the inherent visuo-vestibular conflict. The present study aims to further explore this relationship and investigate whether neuromodulating these waves could causally affect the quality of vection. In a crossover design, 22 healthy volunteers received high amplitude and focused α-tACS (transcranial alternating current stimulation) over the superior parietal cortex while experiencing visually induced vection triggered by optokinetic stimulation. The tACS was tuned to each participant's individual ɑ peak frequency, with θ-tACS and sham stimulation serving as controls. Overall, participants experienced better quality vection during α-tACS compared with control θ-tACS and sham stimulations, as quantified by the intensity of vection. The observed neuromodulation supports a causal relationship between parietal ɑ oscillations and visually induced self-motion illusions, with their entrainment triggering overinhibition of the conflict within the sensorimotor and vestibular functional networks. These results confirm the potential of noninvasive brain stimulation for modulating visuo-vestibular conflicts, which could help to enhance the sense of presence in virtual reality environments.
ISSN:0898-929X
1530-8898
DOI:10.1162/jocn_a_02074