The timing of feedback to early visual cortex in the perception of long-range apparent motion

Cereb Cortex. 2009 Jul;19(7):1567-82. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhn192. Epub 2008 Nov 13.

Abstract

When 2 visual stimuli are presented one after another in different locations, they are often perceived as one, but moving object. Feedback from area human motion complex hMT/V5+ to V1 has been hypothesized to play an important role in this illusory perception of motion. We measured event-related responses to illusory motion stimuli of varying apparent motion (AM) content and retinal location using Electroencephalography. Detectable cortical stimulus processing started around 60-ms poststimulus in area V1. This component was insensitive to AM content and sequential stimulus presentation. Sensitivity to AM content was observed starting around 90 ms post the second stimulus of a sequence and most likely originated in area hMT/V5+. This AM sensitive response was insensitive to retinal stimulus position. The stimulus sequence related response started to be sensitive to retinal stimulus position at a longer latency of 110 ms. We interpret our findings as evidence for feedback from area hMT/V5+ or a related motion processing area to early visual cortices (V1, V2, V3).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Mapping*
  • Electroencephalography / methods
  • Feedback / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motion
  • Motion Perception / physiology*
  • Optical Illusions / physiology*
  • Photic Stimulation / methods*
  • Reaction Time / physiology*
  • Visual Cortex / physiology*