Action-dependent plasticity in peripersonal space representations.

The space immediately around the body is represented by multisensory integrative processes implemented in frontal and parietal lobes. This network has basically a motor function--that is, planning an approaching or defensive motor response to stimuli presented close to the body. Peripersonal space representations are highly plastic as a function of experience. Indeed, using a tool to act in far space can drive an elongation of peripersonal space representation towards the acting space. In this review functional and dynamic properties of such plasticity are reviewed in light of recent experimental findings from our own group and other laboratories.