The afferent neural response to electrotactile stimuli: preliminary results

The authors recorded action potentials from three RA fibers innervating primate fingerpad, while applying electrotactile (electrocutaneous) stimulation. Negative pulses required 1.3-1.5 times more current than positive ones for entrainment. The strength-duration time constant was approximately 151 /spl mu/s. Suprathreshold sinusoidal vibration synchronized to 30-Hz electrotactile pulses changed the electrotactile entrainment current slightly, indicating a possible electrical-mechanical transduction interaction.