Синестезия
Synesthetes may feel shapes on their palms as they taste, or see colors as they hear music. Synesthetic experiences behave as if the senses are cross-wired, as if there are not walls between what is seen, felt, touched, smelled, and tasted. However, the neurological explanation for this perceptual phenomenon is not merely “crossed-wires.”
The neurologist Cytowic has studied the neurophysiological aspects of synesthetic experience. The cortex, usually regarded as the home of sensory perception, is expected to show increased activity during synesthetic experiences, where patients experience external and involuntary sensations somewhat like a cross-wiring of the senses - for example certain smells may elicit seeing strong colors. One would expect that during this heightened sensory experience, there would be an increase in cortical activity. However, during synesthesia, there is actually a collapse of cortical metabolism.
Cytowic’s studies point to a corresponding increase in activity in the limbic system, which lies physically between the brain stem and the two hemispheres of the cortex, and which has traditionally been assumed to play a less influential role than the cortex, which lies “above” it. The limbic system is the seat of memory, attention, and emotion. The studies during episodes of synesthesia indicate that the limbic system plays a central role in sensory perception.
- R.W. Pickard, "Affective Computing"
The neurologist Cytowic has studied the neurophysiological aspects of synesthetic experience. The cortex, usually regarded as the home of sensory perception, is expected to show increased activity during synesthetic experiences, where patients experience external and involuntary sensations somewhat like a cross-wiring of the senses - for example certain smells may elicit seeing strong colors. One would expect that during this heightened sensory experience, there would be an increase in cortical activity. However, during synesthesia, there is actually a collapse of cortical metabolism.
Cytowic’s studies point to a corresponding increase in activity in the limbic system, which lies physically between the brain stem and the two hemispheres of the cortex, and which has traditionally been assumed to play a less influential role than the cortex, which lies “above” it. The limbic system is the seat of memory, attention, and emotion. The studies during episodes of synesthesia indicate that the limbic system plays a central role in sensory perception.
- R.W. Pickard, "Affective Computing"