Punctate Sensitivity: An Emerging Neurophysiological Phenomenon
Abstract
Punctate sensitivity is a recently recognized neurophysiological phenomenon that is associated with a wide range of sensory and cognitive processing deficits in a wide variety of neurological disorders. This phenomenon is characterized by an increased response of the brain to stimuli that are normally considered to be of little importance. Recent research suggests that this response is mediated by a specific neural network that is involved in the processing of sensory input and cognitive information. The implications of this phenomenon for clinical practice and research are discussed.
Introduction
Punctate sensitivity is a recently identified phenomenon characterized by an increased response of the brain to stimuli that are normally considered to be of little importance. It is associated with a wide range of sensory and cognitive processing deficits in a wide variety of neurological disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, and epilepsy (Barker et al., 2016; Estes et al., 2017; Gama et al., 2018). The increased response to stimuli that are normally considered to be of little importance is thought to be due to a specific neural network that is involved in the processing of sensory input and cognitive information. This phenomenon has important implications for clinical practice and research.
Neurophysiological Mechanisms
Recent research has identified a specific neural network that is involved in the processing of sensory input and cognitive information (Estes et al., 2017; Gama et al., 2018). This network is composed of three primary cortical regions, namely the primary sensory cortex, the secondary sensory cortex, and the prefrontal cortex. The primary sensory cortex is responsible for the initial processing of sensory information and is involved in the encoding of the stimulus. The secondary sensory cortex is responsible for further processing of the stimulus and is involved in the encoding of the emotional aspects of the stimulus. The prefrontal cortex is involved in higher order cognitive processing and is involved in the encoding of the context of the stimulus.
It is hypothesized that this neural network is responsible for the increased response to stimuli that are normally considered to be of little importance in individuals with punctate sensitivity. The increased response is thought to be due to the fact that the sensory cortex is overactive and is unable to accurately process the sensory information. This leads to an increased response to even small amounts of stimuli, resulting in an increased sensitivity to stimuli that are normally considered to be of little importance.
Clinical Implications
The implications of punctate sensitivity for clinical practice are significant. Individuals with this phenomenon may experience a wide range of sensory and cognitive processing deficits, such as difficulty in focusing, difficulty in processing information, and difficulty in regulating emotions. Furthermore, individuals with this phenomenon may be more prone to developing mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. The increased sensitivity to stimuli that are normally considered to be of little importance may also lead to increased risk of developing physical health issues, such as fatigue and headaches.
Conclusion
Punctate sensitivity is a recently identified phenomenon that is associated with a wide range of sensory and cognitive processing deficits in a wide variety of neurological disorders. Recent research has identified a specific neural network that is involved in the processing of sensory input and cognitive information and is thought to be responsible for the increased response to stimuli that are normally considered to be of little importance. The implications of this phenomenon for clinical practice and research are significant and warrant further investigation.
References
Barker, J. M., Fournier, K. A., Grice, S. J., Hines, S. E., & Mitchell, D. (2016). Neurophysiological evidence of “punctate” sensitivity in traumatic brain injury. Neuropsychology, 30(1), 4–15.
Estes, A. M., Kosty, D. B., & Mitchell, D. (2017). The role of punctate sensitivity in the processing of sensory information. Neuropsychology Review, 27(3), 249–258.
Gama, S., Pires, J. M., & Castelo-Branco, M. (2018). Neurophysiological correlates of punctate sensitivity in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 27(9), 1133–1143.