Are neural correlates of visual consciousness retinotopic?

Neuroreport. 2003 Nov 14;14(16):2011-4. doi: 10.1097/00001756-200311140-00001.

Abstract

Some visual neurons code what we see, their defining characteristic being a response profile which mirrors conscious percepts rather than veridical sensory attributes. One issue yet to be resolved is whether, within a given cortical area, conscious visual perception relates to diffuse activity across the entire population of such cells or focal activity within the sub-population mapping the location of the perceived stimulus. Here we investigate the issue in the human brain with fMRI, using a threshold stimulation technique to dissociate perceptual from non-perceptual activity. Our results point to a retinotopic organisation of perceptual activity in early visual areas, with independent perceptual activations for different regions of visual space.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Brain Mapping
  • Consciousness / physiology*
  • Functional Laterality / physiology
  • Genetic Variation / physiology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Retina / cytology
  • Retina / physiology*
  • Sensory Thresholds / physiology
  • Visual Cortex / cytology
  • Visual Cortex / physiology*
  • Visual Fields / physiology
  • Visual Pathways / cytology
  • Visual Pathways / physiology*
  • Visual Perception / physiology*