Dissociable Neural Mechanisms for Perceived Heaviness and Predicted Weight During Lifting: An fMRI Investigation of the Size-Weight Illusion

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Abstract

The size-weight illusion — where larger objects feel lighter than smaller objects of equal mass — offers a window into dissociable neural systems for perception and action. Using fMRI, we identified distinct activation patterns for (1) the perceived heaviness of lifted objects and (2) the predicted weight used to program anticipatory grip forces. Perceived heaviness was associated with parietal and prefrontal regions, whereas predictive weight signals engaged the cerebellum and primary motor cortex. These results support the two-stream hypothesis of visual processing and extend it to the domain of object manipulation.

Citation

Chouinard, P. A., Large, M., Chang, E., & Goodale, M. A. (2009). Dissociable neural mechanisms for determining the perceived heaviness of objects and the predicted weight of objects during lifting: An fMRI investigation of the size-weight illusion. NeuroImage, 44(1), 200–212.

@article{Chouinard2009,
  author  = {Chouinard, Patrick A. and Large, Meaghan and Chang, Erik and Goodale, Melvyn A.},
  year    = {2009},
  title   = {Dissociable Neural Mechanisms for Determining the Perceived Heaviness of Objects and the Predicted Weight of Objects During Lifting},
  journal = {NeuroImage},
  volume  = {44},
  number  = {1},
  pages   = {200--212},
  doi     = {10.1016/j.neuroimage.2008.08.025}
}