Neural Correlates of Perceptual Rivalry in the Human Brain

• DOI: 10.1126/science.280.5371.1930
• Publication Date: 2002-07-27T09:37:56Z
• Authors: Erik D. Lumer; Karl J. Friston; Geraint Rees
• Keywords: Binocular rivalry; Extrastriate cortex; Rivalry; Monocular

When dissimilar images are presented to the two eyes, perception alternates spontaneously between each monocular view, a phenomenon called binocular rivalry. Functional brain imaging in humans was used study neural basis of these subjective perceptual changes. Cortical regions whose activity reflected transitions included extrastriate areas ventral visual pathway, and parietal frontal that have been implicated spatial attention; whereas were also engaged by nonrivalrous changes, frontoparietal cortex specifically associated with alternation only during These results suggest play central role conscious perception, biasing content awareness toward abstract internal representations scenes, rather than simply space.