title: Perceptual choice boosts network stability: effect of neuromodulation?
abstract: A recent paper demonstrates that conscious perceptual decisions are characterized by a hallmark of attractor states in recurrent cortical networks: increased stability of cortex-wide activity patterns. We propose that this global cortical state change may be caused by a transient gain modulation through ascending brainstem systems.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands. Electronic address: c.m.warren@fsw.leidenuniv.nl.
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sander
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nieuwenhuis
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Tobias H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Donner
mesh_terms: D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003243:Consciousness / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: P300; consciousness; decision making; neuromodulators; norepinephrine; variance suppression