Perceptual grouping correlates with short synchronization in monkey prestriate cortex.
Synchronization in the visual cortex at 35-80 Hz is assumed to support perceptual grouping. We tested this hypothesis in a figure-ground task in which a trained monkey indicated by a key whether he perceived a figure that was composed of the same blobs as the background distractors. The task was sufficiently difficult such that about 25% of responses were incorrect. We recorded population activity with 7 microelectrodes in prestriate cortex (V2). During a short period before the monkey's perceptual response, locations of figure-activated neurons showed increased synchronization (50-80 Hz) in correct compared to incorrect responses, while other signal measures were unrelated to perception. These are first indications that a short synchronous burst in V2 may support perceptual grouping.
Woelbern
Thomas
T
Philipps-University, Physics Department, Neurophysics Group, Marburg, Germany.
Eckhorn
Reinhard
R
Frien
Axel
A
Bauer
Roman
R
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D003344:Cortical Synchronization; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D008253:Macaca mulatta / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*