What areas of the brain are involved in synesthesia?

Third, an overview of obtained results shows that a network of brain areas rather than a single brain region underlies synaesthesia. Six brain regions of overlapping results emerge, these regions are in sensory and motor regions as well as ‘higher level’ regions in parietal and frontal lobe.

What happens in the brain when you have synesthesia?

Synesthesia is a neurological condition that causes the brain to process data in the form of several senses at once. For example, a person with synesthesia may hear sounds while also seeing them as colorful swirls.

Is synesthesia a matter of sensation or brain processing?

However, in the brains of synesthetes it is possible that this process is somewhat suppressed, leaving greater amounts of white matter between key sensory regions. Synesthesia, then, may be evidence of an over-connected brain, lacking in pruning.

Is synesthesia caused by brain damage?

Though most cases of synesthesia appear to be developmental, acquired cases have also been reported following traumatic brain injury, damage to the brain’s white matter, strokes, brain tumors, posttraumatic blindness and diseases of the optic nerve in the eye.

What brain area is most affected by synesthesia?

These “higher level” brain areas are most likely related to three different cognitive processes inherently part of synaesthesia: the sensory processes (with the sensory areas), the attentional processes especially controlling the binding process (within the parietal lobe), and the cognitive processes (controlled by …

What part of the body does synesthesia affect?

limbic system
Richard Cytowic’s research has led him to believe that the limbic system is primarily responsible for synesthetic experiences. The limbic system includes several brain structures primarily responsible for regulating our emotional responses.

What color is the letter A?

Colours beginning with the letter A

Name Hex Nearest Pantone
Aqua #00FFFF 311c
Aquamarine #7FFFD4 2975c
Asparagus #7BA05B 326c
Auburn #6D351A 4975c

Is synesthesia a mental illness?

No, synesthesia is not a disease. In fact, several researchers have shown that synesthetes can perform better on certain tests of memory and intelligence. Synesthetes as a group are not mentally ill.

Why is synesthesia not a mental disorder?

No, synesthesia is not a disease. In fact, several researchers have shown that synesthetes can perform better on certain tests of memory and intelligence. Synesthetes as a group are not mentally ill. They test negative on scales that check for schizophrenia, psychosis, delusions, and other disorders.

Is synesthesia a mental disorder?

Synesthesia isn’t a disease or disorder. It won’t harm your health, and it doesn’t mean you’re mentally ill. Some studies suggest people who have it may do better on memory and intelligence tests than those who don’t. And while it may seem easy to make up, there’s proof that it’s a real condition.

What do you call someone with synesthesia?

Synesthesia is when you hear music, but you see shapes. Or you hear a word or a name and instantly see a color. The word “synesthesia” has Greek roots. It translates to “perceive together.” People who have this ability are called synesthetes.

Can you develop synesthesia?

People who experience synesthesia are usually born with it or develop it very early in childhood. It’s possible for it to develop later. Research indicates that synesthesia can be genetically inherited . Each one of your five senses stimulate a different area of your brain.

Where does synesthesia take place in the brain?

One was in the letter and word region of the brain, known as V4. The other highly connected areas were found in brain regions involved in consciousness — the awareness that you’re thinking, feeling, seeing, hearing or any number of other things your brain enables you to do.

What kind of brain imaging is used for synesthetes?

Using a kind of magnetic resonance imaging called DTI (an example is shown above) to look at the brains of synesthetes and non-synesthetes, scientists showed that synesthetes who see colored letters have higher levels of white matter in three different brain regions.

Where are white matter axons found in synesthetes?

Brain regions that are highly connected will have more white-matter axons. In synesthetes who see colored letters, the scientists found higher levels of white matter in three different brain regions. One was in the letter and word region of the brain, known as V4.

Why do people with synesthesia always see the same color?

As a result, when something trkggers one of the five senses, another sense also responds. This blending can cause people to see sound, smell colors or taste shapes. Some people with synesthesia always see the letters in the alphabet as a certain color. The color of each letter is always the same. Dozens of different sensory combinations exist.