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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

Stimulus-specific Cortical Visual Evoked Potential Morphological Patterns
09:42

Stimulus-specific Cortical Visual Evoked Potential Morphological Patterns

Published on: May 12, 2019

Traveling waves in visual cortex.

Tatsuo K Sato1, Ian Nauhaus, Matteo Carandini

  • 1University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK.

Neuron
|July 31, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Localized visual stimuli create traveling brain waves in the visual cortex. These waves, also seen in spontaneous activity, may integrate information across large spatial areas via horizontal connections.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Visual Cortex Research
  • Brain Activity Mapping

Background:

  • Localized visual stimuli induce propagating waves of neural activity in the primary visual cortex.
  • Traveling waves are observed during both evoked and spontaneous brain activity.
  • Intensive visual stimulation can significantly attenuate these spontaneous traveling waves.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence supporting the existence of traveling waves in the visual cortex.
  • To explore the potential neural substrates, such as long-range horizontal connections, underlying these waves.
  • To discuss the functional implications of traveling waves in visual information processing.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of electrode recordings and neuroimaging studies.
  • Review of experimental data on visual cortex activity.
  • Examination of the effects of different stimulation paradigms on neural activity patterns.

Main Results:

  • Consistent evidence supports the presence of traveling waves in the primary visual cortex.
  • Spontaneous traveling waves are sensitive to the intensity and extent of visual stimulation.
  • Long-range horizontal connections are proposed as a key anatomical substrate.

Conclusions:

  • Traveling waves are a significant feature of neural dynamics in the visual cortex.
  • These waves are likely mediated by long-range horizontal connections.
  • The functional role may involve integrating visual information across extended spatial regions.