Linbi Cai

Abstract Just as separated digits and repeated sampling enhance somatosensation in humans, mice sense objects through multiple segregated whiskers through successive contacts. Individual whisker identity is maintained through the somatotopic organization of the Whisker Brainstem Thalamus Cortex axis, culminating in distinct cortical domains: barrels and the surrounding septa.

Editor’s summary The mechanisms mediating the development and integration of the sensory systems have not been fully elucidated. Cai et al. studied the development of olfaction, which is considered the earliest sense to appear in mice, in relation to somatosensation, which appears shortly after.

Abstract The vibrissae system of rodents, akin to human hands and fingers, provides somatosensory information coming from individual whiskers for object exploration and recognition. Just as separated digits enhance somatosensation in humans, the ability of mice to sense objects through multiple whiskers in segregated streams is crucial.