Neural bases of the non-conscious perception of emotional signals.
Many emotional stimuli are processed without being consciously perceived. Recent evidence indicates that subcortical structures have a substantial role in this processing. These structures are part of a phylogenetically ancient pathway that has specific functional properties and that interacts with cortical processes. There is now increasing evidence that non-consciously perceived emotional stimuli induce distinct neurophysiological changes and influence behaviour towards the consciously perceived world. Understanding the neural bases of the non-conscious perception of emotional signals will clarify the phylogenetic continuity of emotion systems across species and the integration of cortical and subcortical activity in the human brain.
Tamietto
Marco
M
Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory, Tilburg University, P.O. BOX 90153, 5000 LE Tilburg, The Netherlands. M.Tamietto@uvt.nl
de Gelder
Beatrice
B
D000818:Animals; D001519:Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D003243:Consciousness / Q000502:physiology*; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology*