Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
6267248 Current Opinion in Neurobiology 2012 6 Pages PDF
Abstract

The brain constructs representations of objects and concepts based in sensory information combined with experience. This mental process, that we call perception, is the result of a chain of events consisting of phenomena such as detection, memory, discrimination, categorization and decision-making. Although the phenomenon of perception is not necessarily dependent on a given sensory modality (e.g. visual perception, auditory, tactile), single sensory models are indispensable for studying the neural mechanisms that generate it. The somatosensory system is a suitable model for studying the manner in which presentation of a single physical variable (e.g. vibration) triggers a perceptual process. Here, we discuss some recent studies in the somatosensory system that in our view, constitute a breakthrough to understanding decision making.

► Sensory activity increasingly predicts behavior across the processing hierarchy. ► Decisions are made by comparing past and current sensory information. ► Comparison is observed in early sensory areas such as S2. ► A subtraction of oppositely tuned populations underlies frequency discrimination. ► Decision related activity emerges in parietal and frontal cortical circuits.

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Life Sciences Neuroscience Neuroscience (General)
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