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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,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 24, 2026

Multiscale Investigations of Cortical Processing by Integrating Laminar Polytrodes and Optogenetics with Micro Electrocorticography in Rodents

Multiscale Investigations of Cortical Processing by Integrating Laminar Polytrodes and Optogenetics with Micro Electrocorticography in Rodents

Published on: May 23, 2025

Alpha and gamma oscillations characterize feedback and feedforward processing in monkey visual cortex.

Timo van Kerkoerle¹, Matthew W Self², Bruno Dagnino²

¹Department of Vision and Cognition, Netherlands Institute for Neurosciences, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), 1105 BA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; p.roelfsema@nin.knaw.nl t.van.kerkoerle@nin.knaw.nl.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

|September 11, 2014

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

High-frequency gamma waves move information forward in the brain, while low-frequency alpha waves signal feedback. This study reveals distinct directional roles for brain oscillations in visual processing.

Keywords:

Granger causality attention neuronal synchronization perceptual organization phase coherence

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Neuroscience
Systems Neuroscience

Background:

Cognitive functions depend on coordinated neural activity across brain regions.
Understanding inter-areal communication in the cortex is crucial but remains incomplete.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the directional information flow associated with alpha (low-frequency) and gamma (high-frequency) oscillations in the monkey visual cortex.
To determine if these brain rhythms correlate with feedforward and feedback processing.

Main Methods:

Simultaneous electrophysiological recordings from all layers of the primary visual cortex (V1) and downstream area V4 in monkeys.
Microstimulation experiments in V1 and V4 to establish causal links between oscillations and information flow.
Pharmacological manipulation using NMDA receptor blockers.

Main Results:

Gamma-waves originate in V1 layer 4 and propagate to other cortical layers, indicating feedforward flow.
Alpha-waves propagate in the opposite direction to gamma-waves, suggesting feedback flow.
Microstimulation confirmed causal roles: V1 stimulation induced gamma in V4, while V4 stimulation induced alpha in V1.
NMDA receptor blockade reduced alpha oscillations while enhancing gamma oscillations.

Conclusions:

Alpha and gamma oscillations exhibit distinct, opposing directional propagation patterns in the visual cortex.
Gamma oscillations are associated with feedforward information transfer, and alpha oscillations with feedback.
These findings offer critical insights into the neural mechanisms underlying brain rhythms and their role in cognitive processes.