Taste the rainbow: Examining synesthesia
Manu Raghavan
Issue date: 2/16/09 Section: Pulse
Although it is a popular catch phrase for Skittles candy, the meaning of this advertisement might be rooted in medical history. The line, "taste the rainbow," might only make sense in a Skittles advertisement, but to researchers today, it means something else.
In 1880 Francis Galton, a cousin of Charles Darwin, published findings of a curious condition present among members of the human population. Certain people in the human population would associate colors with various sensory phenomena. Numbers, letters and even tones evoked color responses. More obscure instances of this condition result in words evoking taste responses.
Moreover, contrary to what might be initial reactions, none of these patients were drug addicts. They suffer from what most probably a hereditary disorder termed synesthesia. The disorder is widely researched and has been widely published. One well-known neuroscientist who has examined the disorder is Dr. Vilayanur Ramachandran of the Center of Brain and Cognition at the University of California at San Diego. His talk at the annual Technology, Entertainment and Design conference in Monterey, Calif. and publications in "Scientific American" offered the basis of this article.
Dr. Ramachandran offers the following explanation for the origin and cause of the disorder. The disease seems to run in families, indicating some genetic basis. What seems to be occurring is some cross-wiring in the brain in a region called the fusiform gyrus in the temporal lobe.
At this location, areas of the brain controlling numbers and those involved with color recognition are found adjacently in normal individuals. Given the inheritance of synesthesia, cross wiring may occur as a result of some genetic mutation which causes the number and color centers to become linked.
Alternatively, it is known that our nervous systems do not start off distinctly organized, but rather, starting with a rather unspecialized whole, they slowly are trimmed down to form distinct connections, and specialized areas.
In 1880 Francis Galton, a cousin of Charles Darwin, published findings of a curious condition present among members of the human population. Certain people in the human population would associate colors with various sensory phenomena. Numbers, letters and even tones evoked color responses. More obscure instances of this condition result in words evoking taste responses.
Moreover, contrary to what might be initial reactions, none of these patients were drug addicts. They suffer from what most probably a hereditary disorder termed synesthesia. The disorder is widely researched and has been widely published. One well-known neuroscientist who has examined the disorder is Dr. Vilayanur Ramachandran of the Center of Brain and Cognition at the University of California at San Diego. His talk at the annual Technology, Entertainment and Design conference in Monterey, Calif. and publications in "Scientific American" offered the basis of this article.
Dr. Ramachandran offers the following explanation for the origin and cause of the disorder. The disease seems to run in families, indicating some genetic basis. What seems to be occurring is some cross-wiring in the brain in a region called the fusiform gyrus in the temporal lobe.
At this location, areas of the brain controlling numbers and those involved with color recognition are found adjacently in normal individuals. Given the inheritance of synesthesia, cross wiring may occur as a result of some genetic mutation which causes the number and color centers to become linked.
Alternatively, it is known that our nervous systems do not start off distinctly organized, but rather, starting with a rather unspecialized whole, they slowly are trimmed down to form distinct connections, and specialized areas.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 9
Chelsea
posted 4/05/09 @ 11:51 PM CST
This article should not have been published.
You should have done your research more thoroughly.
Synesthesia is not a "disorder"
People with disorders suffer from what they have. (Continued…)
Chicago Mattress Store
posted 4/06/09 @ 4:00 PM CST
Whether or not it's actually a disorder, this is certainly a very interesting condition. Thanks for this article.
Mattress Chicago
posted 6/17/09 @ 1:42 PM CST
I was just about to say that i think i experience similiar sensations.
When i look at pine trees for example, I taste citrus fruit. I don't think this is abnormal, i think it might just be an associatation in my brain from past experiences. (Continued…)
A Perfectly Healthy (But Irritated) Synaesthete
posted 8/17/09 @ 6:55 AM CST
Ditto what "Chelsea" says. Though synaesthesia can be a *symptom* of some neurological problems (e.g. epilepsy) it is in itself generally considered to be a benign condition. (Continued…)
Izzy
posted 11/29/09 @ 12:07 PM CST
Hey! I have Synaesthesia (or Synesthesia often spelled both ways by different doctors and people) and I'm okay.
Nothing is wrong with me...
I see colors when I hear sounds and my life is completely fine. (Continued…)
Farmer Bob
posted 11/30/09 @ 11:43 AM CST
"How on can you possibly claim there's anything wrong with me? Where's the 'disease'?"
Perhaps it is in the ego.
We would do well to note that there are other disorders closely associated with being an "artist" in particular, bi-polar being a standout one. (Continued…)
resume services
posted 12/06/09 @ 5:43 PM CST
It is a very interesting research about association colors with various sensory phenomena.
Anna
posted 1/28/10 @ 11:02 PM CST
i don't know if i have synesthesia or not...my ma does, she can see auras...but i cant, though when I look at my history teachers eyes, I taste green tea ice cream. (Continued…)
Post a Comment