The Role of the Primary Visual Cortex in Perceptual Suppression of Salient Visual Stimuli

摘要: The role of primary visual cortex (area V1) in subjective perception has intrigued students vision for decades. Specifically, the extent to which activity different types cells (monocular versus binocular) and electrophysiological signals (i.e., local field potentials spiking activity) reflect is still debated. To address these questions we recorded from area V1 macaque using tetrodes during paradigm binocular flash suppression, where incongruent images presented dichoptically compete perceptual dominance. We found that a minority (20%) neurons perceived stimulus exhibited modulations substantially weaker compared with their sensory modulation induced by congruent stimuli. Importantly, were equally often monocular cells, demonstrating competition involves mechanisms across both neurons. power potential (LFP) also showed moderate similar percentages sites showing significant effects frequency bands (18–22%). possibility remains may be strongly reflected more elaborate aspects circuits (e.g., specific neuronal subtypes) or states might have modulatory on intricate firing patterns synchronization), not necessarily altering rates single LFP dramatically.