From sensory processes to conscious perception

Conscious Cogn. 2004 Jun;13(2):323-35. doi: 10.1016/j.concog.2003.10.004.

Abstract

In recent years, cognitive neuroscientists have began to explore the process of how sensory information gains access to awareness. To further probe this process, event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used while testing subjects with a paradigm known as the "attentional blink." In this paradigm, visually presented information sporadically fails to reach awareness. It was found that the magnitude and time course of activation within the anterior cingulate (BA 32), medial prefrontal cortex (BA 9), and frontopolar cortex (BA 10) predicted whether or not information was consciously perceived during the critical period for the attentional blink. These results are discussed in light of a neural framework for conscious processing.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Attention
  • Awareness / physiology*
  • Brain Mapping
  • Consciousness
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Perception / physiology*
  • Prefrontal Cortex / physiology*
  • Regression Analysis
  • Visual Perception / physiology