The role of feedback in visual masking and visual processing.
Stephen L Macknik, Susana Martinez-Conde
Advances in Cognitive Psychology July 15, 2008 DOI: 10.2478/v10053-008-0020-5 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Attention Awareness Consciousness Electrophysiology FMRI Feedback Humans Masking Metacontrast Monkeys Optical imaging Paracontrast Psychophysics Standing wave Vision Visual |
| Key findings | Argues that constraints on feedback mechanisms limit their role in visual masking and general brain function, and proposes a feedforward model of visual masking. Suggests the high ratio of feedback to feedforward visual connections may be explained by the need for top-down attentional modulation. Proposes new neurophysiological standards for identifying the neural substrate of awareness. |
Abstract
This paper reviews the potential role of feedback in visual masking, for and against. Our analysis reveals constraints for feedback mecha- nisms that limit their potential role in visual masking, and in all other general brain functions. We propose a feedforward model of visual masking, and provide a hypothesis to explain the role of feedback in visual masking and visual processing in general. We review the anato-my and physiology of feedback mechanisms, and propose that the massive ratio of feedback versus feedforward connections in the visual system may be explained solely by the critical need for top-down attentional modulation. We discuss the merits of visual masking as a tool to discover the neural correlates of consciousness, especially as compared to other popular illusions, such as binocular rivalry. Finally, we propose a new set of neurophysiological standards needed to establish whether any given neuron or brain circuit may be the neural substrate of awareness.
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