A TMS study of the ventral projections from V1 with implications for the finding of neural correlates of consciousness.
The study of subliminal perception in normal and brain lesioned subjects has long been of interest to scholars studying the neural mechanisms behind conscious vision. Using brief durations and a developed methodology of introspective reporting, we present an experiment with visual stimuli that gives rise to little or no subliminal perception under normal viewing conditions. Coupled with transcranial magnetic stimulation, however, we find a dissociation between correctness and conscious awareness. Furthermore, we find support for the hypothesis that the ventral projection streams from V1 are necessary for visual consciousness.
Overgaard
Morten
M
Department of Psychology, University of Aarhus, Asylvej 4, 8240 Risskov, Denmark. overgard@pet.au.dk
Nielsen
Jørgen Feldbaek
JF
Fuglsang-Frederiksen
Anders
A
D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness / Q000502:physiology; D003243:Consciousness / Q000502:physiology*; D055590:Electromagnetic Phenomena / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D012886:Skull; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*