When the eyes play tricks, the brain builds consensus
Have you ever seen something that doesn't quite add up? Maybe a shape in the dark resembles a face, or an orange momentarily looks like an apple. Scientists now have a new idea about how different brain regions may work together to resolve these visual mix-ups.
Scientists are unraveling how the brain resolves visual mix-ups. In a study published in Nature Neuroscience, researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the University of Cambridge, and University College London investigated two neighboring regions of the visual cortex. When these areas agree, their activity lasts longer. However, when they disagree, the mismatch is quickly erased. This finding provides insight into how the brain reaches consensus.
The brain consists of specialized regions that receive different sensory inputs, yet still function as a cohesive whole. Two primary visual processing areas, the primary visual cortex (V1) and lateromedial visual area (LM), maintain two-way communication. Researchers trained mice to discern between two visual patterns at opposite angles, rewarding only one orientation. By temporarily silencing one of the visual processing areas during a task, they observed how the remaining region adjusted.
The team built an artificial neural network model based on recorded observations, simulating how the V1-LM circuit would respond when specific neurons were manipulated. They discovered that mismatched activity patterns between the two regions quickly disappeared, while matching patterns persisted. This observation supports the concept of "consensus building" between visual regions.
The study specifically focused on two visual areas but the researchers are exploring whether similar principles apply across the entire neocortex. For instance, when what you see contradicts what you hear, do the same consensus-building mechanisms apply? If so, dynamic consensus building could offer a broader understanding of the brain's functionality, including how different regions fail to reach a consistent interpretation of the world.
This knowledge could also inspire new approaches to AI systems in reconciling conflicting information.
Ultimately, understanding the "glue" that unites these specialized brain blocks could help researchers comprehend how the brain operates as a whole.
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