Neural correlates of somatosensory target detection are restricted to secondary somatosensory cortex, whereas activity in insular, cingulate, and motor regions reflects stimulus uncertainty and overt reports.

Molecular analysis paints a detailed picture of the distinctiveness and complexities of peripheral somatosensory neurons.

Increasing microstimulation frequency in some regions of the human somatosensory cortex decreased the perceived intensity and evoked specific percepts, providing insight into cortical organization and sensory feedback approaches for brain–computer interfaces.

A combination of human imaging and brain stimulation techniques show that the somatosensory cortex is essential to prosocial decision making, by transforming observed pain in accurate perception of others' distress.

Both hand and face representations remain relatively stable after arm amputation in adulthood, with no link to phantom limb pain, whereas pre-natal limb loss triggers complex patterns of remapping that do not relate to cortical topography.

Widespread somatosensory cortical activation following a single localised skin breaking procedure indicates a diffuse pain map in the human infant brain.

Secondary somatosensory and visual thalamus monitor behavioral state, rather than movement, and may exist to alter cortical activity accordingly.

Area 2 of somatosensory cortex represents kinematic details of the entire arm during movement, but this mapping from limb state to neural activity differs for reaching and passive limb displacement.

Peripheral injury induces a programmed but reversible transformation of gene expression in somatosensory neurons providing a mechanism to regulate sensory input during wound healing.

Secondary thalamic nuclei may provide stronger, longer-lasting input to superficial layers of primary sensory cortex than other cortical areas can.