Prior expectations evoke stimulus templates in the deep layers of V1

• DOI: 10.1167/jov.20.11.184
• Publication Date: 2020-10-26T18:59:34Z
• Authors: Fraser Aitken; Georgios Menelaou,; Oliver Warrington; Nadege Corbin; Martina Callaghan; Peter Kok
• Keywords: Stimulus (psychology); Surround suppression

During perception, the complex and noisy visual information relayed by our eyes is interpreted within context of prior knowledge expectations. The neural circuitry underpinning this process inference currently unknown. Recent theories perceptual propose that neurons in deep layers cortex represent expectations, which turn modulate sensory processing middle superficial layers. However, direct support for idea limited due to significant challenge resolving cortical using human neuroimaging. Here, we capitalise on ultra-high resolution 7T functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) probe stimulus-specific activity induced expectations deep, primary (V1). In order induce presented participants (N=18) with coloured dot cues predicted likely orientation an upcoming grating stimulus. On 75% trials, gratings were presented. remaining 25% omitted. Crucially, as no stimulus was these ‘omission’ any V1 could be considered arise solely from top-down inputs. Results showed such predicted-but-omitted led orientation-specific BOLD response but not V1. contrast, actually stimuli activated all These results provide novel insights into brain integrates inputs service inference.