WP1: We developed a unique experimental setup that combines full-body haptics, visual stimulation, and fMRI. This will allow us to understand which neuronal networks are responsible for body memory recall, which correlate with emotional involvement, and if body memory networks offer a topographic or an atopographic architecture. This setup will also allow us to clarify the critical question whether or not a potentially topographic memory architecture is specific to touch or also occurs for other sensory modalities (i.e. audition). By systematically altering body position during learning and recall, we will also investigate if tactile memory formation follows a somatotopic encoding scheme (independent of body position) or an external encoding scheme (dependent on body position). These studies will clarify central questions on the neuronal code of human body memories.
WP2: Our novel App “Somascape” provides us with the unique opportunity to identify ‘somatic sore points’ in participants based on their everyday life experiences. By characterizing somatosensory, emotional and memory networks in the same participants using fMRI, we will identify the ‘neuronal fingerprint’ of ‘somatic sore points’ and will clarify how those are related to impairments in mental wellbeing. In addition, the App “Somascape” will allow us to clarify whether or not the presence and severity of ‘somatic sore points’ is associated with the presence and severity of tactile memory biases, providing critical insights on the underlying mechanisms.
WP3: To clarify if memory training can reduce psychosomatic symptoms, we investigate the effect of the “Somascape” App on somatization, mental health, self-awareness, and reflective functioning. Pre and post fMRI investigations allow us the identification of biomarkers that indicate the likelihood of an expected successful intervention. To identify mechanisms of remapping, we will clarify whether the modulatory effect of the think/no-think paradigm can be used to induce memory suppression, and which neuronal networks underlie this effect. In addition, the most efficient metrics of tactile remapping will be explored using the full-body haptic/VR paradigm. Specifically, it will be clarified if changing tactile and/or visual features of the original experience is more efficient in altering body memories. These insights will pave the way towards new interventions to reduce somatic symptoms in participants and patients.
