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Related Concept Videos

Vision

Vision

Vision is the result of light being detected and transduced into neural signals by the retina of the eye. This information is then further analyzed and interpreted by the brain. First, light enters the front of the eye and is focused by the cornea and lens onto the retina—a thin sheet of neural tissue lining the back of the eye. Because of refraction through the convex lens of the eye, images are projected onto the retina upside-down and reversed.

Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex

Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex

The cerebral cortex, the brain's outermost layer, is pivotal in processing complex cognitive tasks, emotions, and various sensory inputs and executing voluntary motor activities. This intricate structure is divided into three primary functional areas: the motor areas, sensory areas, and association areas.
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex.

Association Areas of the Cortex

Association Areas of the Cortex

Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...

Visual System

Visual System

Light enters the eye through the cornea, a transparent, dome-shaped surface covering the surface of the eyeball that helps to direct and focus incoming light. This light is then channeled toward the pupil, an adjustable opening whose size is controlled by the iris. The iris, a pigmented muscle, regulates the amount of light entering the eye by contracting or dilating the pupil, thereby ensuring optimal light levels for clear vision.
Once through the pupil, the light passes through the lens, a...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Measurement of Neurophysiological Signals of Ignoring and Attending Processes in Attention Control

Measurement of Neurophysiological Signals of Ignoring and Attending Processes in Attention Control

Published on: July 5, 2015

Neural correlates of attention in primate visual cortex.

¹University of Tübingen, Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Dept of Neurology, Auf der Morgenstelle 15, 72076 Tübingen, Germany. treue@uni-tuebingen.de

Trends in Neurosciences

|April 20, 2001

Summary

Visual attention profoundly influences how the brain processes visual information. Attentional processes enhance neural responses to relevant stimuli, shaping our perception based on behavioral importance.

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Investigating the Deployment of Visual Attention Before Accurate and Averaging Saccades via Eye Tracking and Assessment of Visual Sensitivity

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Published on: March 18, 2019

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Science
Visual Perception

Background:

Visual information processing integrates sensory input with top-down attentional control.
Attentional modulation is observed across the entire visual cortex.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the profound impact of attention on visual information processing.
To understand how attentional influences shape neural representations in the visual hierarchy.

Main Methods:

Analysis of neuronal responses in primate visual cortex.
Examination of attentional effects on stimulus processing at different hierarchical levels.

Main Results:

Attended locations/features show enhanced neuronal responses; unattended ones are suppressed.
Attentional influence intensifies up the visual cortical hierarchy.
Neural representation prioritizes behavioral relevance over complete sensory accuracy.

Conclusions:

Attention significantly shapes visual perception, prioritizing behaviorally relevant information.
The role of traditionally 'sensory' areas is re-evaluated in light of attentional modulation.