Multisensory contributions to affective touch

Just as for any other sensory system, researchers have long wanted to discriminate between the discriminative and hedonic aspects of tactile perception. Supporting such a distinction, have, in recent decades, uncovered existence dedicated system receptors hairy skin (C-Tactile, CT, afferents) that appear be preferentially tuned pleasant stroking (i.e. caressing) touch. No matter what kind touch one is talking about, though, it important recognize human perception fundamentally multisensory, meaning we feel, not mention think about experience, modulated by inputs are available senses. This review summarizes latest evidence concerning these multisensory contributions focusing, particular, on case affective Given CT afferents far more common (as compared glabrous) skin, question further raised whether relative contribution various senses may differ function site stimulated glabrous versus skin) or judgment (sensory-discriminative hedonic) being made.