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Synesthesia Outline - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Synesthesia Outline
Introduction (What is Synesthesia?)∙ Definition of Synesthesia∙ Synesthetic Perception∙ Synesthetic Conception
Theories of Synesthesia∙ Original Discovery / Theory∙ History of Synesthesia research
Forms of Synesthesia∙ Sound & Color∙ Grapheme & Color∙ Word & Gustatory∙ Number Form
Experiments & Research Data as a heightened ASC∙ Neuroimaging (FMRI, PET)∙ “Pop Out” effects∙ Neurobasis of Synesthesia
Further Discussion∙ Temporary vs. Permanent?∙ Innate vs. Learned?
-Neurologically-based phenomenon
* leads to involuntary experiences
* real information of one sense is accompanied by
a perception in another sense
Synesthetic perception:-induced by perceiving a stimulus
Synesthetic conception:- induced by conceiving
Sound ColorGrapheme ColorWord Gustatory
Time period Color and shape
*Perceptual vs conceptual *Combinations of these?!
CarolCarol is an artist . She has experienced synesthesia for as long as she can remember, perceiving colors in numbers, letters and when hearing certain sounds. Selected forms of touch like acupressure and acupuncture also lead to the perception of both colors and shapes.
•"With acupuncture, I experience color in layers" •"Orange is my default color for pain"
KarenKaren is a language researcher and project manager. Her synesthesia dates back to childhood and involves the perception of colors when viewing text or hearing spoken words. "Linguistics is a grayish-purple-blue word"
The “Pop Out” Effect
Normal Control Perception
The “Pop Out” Effect
Grapheme- Color Synesthetes Perception
Synesthetes tend to be:
Women: in the U.S., studies show that three times as many women as men have synesthesia; in the U.K., eight times as many women have been reported to have it. Left-handed: synesthetes are more likely to be left-handed than the general population.
Neurologically normal: synesthetes are of normal (or possibly above average) intelligence, and standard neurological exams are normal.
In the same family: synesthesia appears to be inherited in some fashion; It seems to be a dominant trait and it may be on the X-chromosome.
Involuntary
Projected
Durable and Generic
Memorable
Emotional
Biological Basis of Synesthesia
synesthesia results from "crossed-wiring" in the brain
some researchers believe that these crossed connections are present in everyone at birth, and only later are the connections refined
Cross activation at V4 seen
Biological Basis of SynesthesiaWhere in the Brain??
limbic system includes several brain structures primarily responsible for regulating our emotional responses.
cerebral cortex studies have shown a particularly interesting effect in the cortex: colored-hearing synesthetes - display activity in several areas of the visual cortex when they hear certain words.
In particular, areas of the visual cortex associated with processing color are activated when the synesthetes hear words. Non-synesthetes do not show activity in these areas, even when asked to imagine colors or to associate certain colors with certain words.
Biological Basis of Synesthesia
Experiments & Research Data as Heightened ASC
Diffusion Tensioner Imaging show the amount of connectivity is correlated to the intensity of Synesthesia.
Rouw & Scholte show increased connectivity of the Fusiform Gyrus, Frontal Cortex, and Intraparietal Sulcus
FMRI & PET show significant differences in V4 actiavtion between Synesthetes and Normal Control
Is Synesthesia Altered Consciousness?
Different Levels of Synesthesia through Disinhibited Feedback to Higher Order Cortical Regions
Synesthetes are very sensitive to external stimuli. Often creating creative art forms.Synesthetes have problems with math, writing, and left and right confusion.Important in understanding Synesthesia because it provides a window to consciousness.
Further Discussion: Temporary Synesthesia?
LSD & Mescaline Can Induce Synesthesia Like Effects
Psychedelic drugs can cause inhibition of feedback pathways causing an increase in excitation of V4
Innate vs Learned?
Theories that Synesthesia is a product of colored alphabets and refrigerator magnets
But substantial evidence it is innate not learned.
However the environment can play an role in the type of Synesthesia
SNP (single nucleotide polymorphisms) variations in genome can be a possible cause for family members with Synesthesia
The Potential For Synesthesia
About 1 in 23 have Synesthesia.
Slight tendency for women, but this could be a cultural difference due to women biased towards self reporting.
Most likely a sex ratio of 1:1.1 (Male : Female)
Bobo and Kiki
We all might have Synesthesia
Most would name the blob, Bobo, and the spiky object Kiki
We all have the ability to understand and create metaphors.
Suggests we all might the potential for Synesthesia
http://youtube.com/watch?v=DvwTSEwVBfc&feature=related
Cytowic, R., Synesthesia: Phenomenology and Neuropsychology, A Review of Current Knowledge. Psyche: An interdisciplinary journal of research on consciousness. Synesthesia: Phenomenology And Neuropsychology
Grossenbacher, P.G. & C.T. Lovelace (2001), "Mechanisms of synesthesia: cognitive and physiological constraints", Trends in Cognitive Sciences 5 (1): 36-41
Nunn, J.A., Gregory, L.J., Brammer, M., Williams, S.C.R., Parslow, D.M., Morgan, M.J., Morris, R.G., Bullmore, E.T., Baron-Cohen, S., and Gray, J.A. Functional magnetic resonance imaging of synesthesia: activation of V4/V8 by spoken words, Nature Neuroscience, 5:371-375, 2002.
Ramachandran, V.S. & E. M. Hubbard (2001), "Synaesthesia: A window into perception, thought and language", Journal of Consciousness Studies 8 (12): 3-34
Simner, J.; C. Mulvenna & N. Sagiv et al. (2006), "Synaesthesia: The prevalence of atypical cross-modal experiences", Perception 8 (35): 1024-1033 "Synesthesia." Wikipedia. 7 Mar. 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synesthesia#CITEREFCytowic2002>.
"Neural Basis of Synesthesia." Wikipedia. 7 Mar. 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neural_basis_of_synesthesia>.