Work

Frontal engagement in perceptual integration under low subjective visibility

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: We investigated how spatiotemporal neural dynamics underlying perceptual integration changed with the degree of conscious access to a set of backward-masked pacman-shaped inducers that generated the percept of an illusory triangle. We kept the stimulus parameters at a fixed near-threshold level throughout the experiment and recorded electroencephalography from participants who reported the orientation and subjective visibility of the illusory triangle on each trial. Our multivariate pattern analysis revealed that posterior and central regions initially used dynamic neural code and later switched to stable neural code. The transition from dynamic to stable neural code in posterior region occurred increasingly later and eventually disappeared with decreasing conscious access. Anterior region primarily used stable neural code which waned with decreasing conscious access, but increased at below-median visibility and remained even when stimulus awareness was minimal. These results demonstrate differential spatiotemporal neural dynamics underlying perceptual integration depending on conscious access and emphasize a unique role of anterior region in processing integrated shape information especially under low subjective visibility.

Source: NeuroImage

DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2024.120984

Authors: Jisub Bae, Koeun Jung, Oliver James, Satoru Suzuki, Yee Joon Kim

Institutions: Institute for Basic Science, Chonnam National University, Chungnam National University, Northwestern University

Language: English

Topic: Visual perception and processing mechanisms

Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,450

Funder: Institute for Basic Science