Associative learning in peripersonal space: fear responses are acquired in hand-centered coordinates

Abstract

Associative fear learning takes place in hand-centered coordinates. Using a Pavlovian fear-learning paradigm, we show that the anticipatory skin conductance response indicating the association between the negative value and an initially neutral stimulus is acquired and then remapped in space when the stimulated body part moves to a different position. These results demonstrate the relationship between the representation of peripersonal space and the encoding of threatening stimuli. Hypotheses concerning the underlying neural network are discussed.