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Using MEG to understand the neural underpinnings of tactile sensitivity to clothing fabrics

Poster Session E - Monday, March 9, 2026, 2:30 – 4:30 pm PDT, Fairview/Kitsilano Ballroom

Rebecca Taylor¹ (), Petroc Sumner¹, Gavin Perry¹, Veikko Jousmäki², Krish D. Singh¹, Catherine R.G. Jones¹; ¹Cardiff University, ²Aalto University

Tactile sensitivities are a shared feature of a range of neurodevelopmental, physical, and mental health conditions. They are also observed within the general population, with clothing fabrics a common trigger. The neural mechanisms underlying tactile sensitivities are unclear. However, one candidate mechanism is an increased ratio between excitation and inhibition (E:I ratio). Previous MEG studies have demonstrated that brushing the skin results in a suppression of sensorimotor beta oscillations, reflecting increased excitation, followed by a rebound above baseline when movement ends. Additionally, Aβ fibres have been shown to drive the early neural response, while C-tactile input drive peak responses in affective regions. In this study, we will use a MEG-compatible robotic arm to brush clothing materials along participants’ skin, enabling us to investigate the neural mechanism underlying sensitivity to clothing fabrics. Pilot work has confirmed that this results in a reliable beta suppression and rebound over the sensorimotor cortex. We aim to explore whether the magnitude of this response varies depending on participants’ subjective pleasantness ratings of the clothing fabrics, and on levels of neurodivergent traits and mental health symptomology. This will allow us to test whether differences in the E:I ratio explain differences in tactile sensitivity. Furthermore, identifying the spatiotemporal response to different fabrics will allow us to identify the relative contributions of Aβ and C-tactile fibres to the experience of tactile sensitivity.

Topic Area: PERCEPTION & ACTION: Other