Decoding internally generated transitions of conscious contents in the prefrontal cortex without subjective reports

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Perception Research

Background:

• The neural basis of conscious perception is debated, specifically the role of the prefrontal cortex (PFC).
• Concerns exist that PFC activity in perception studies may reflect post-perceptual reporting or sensory-driven signals rather than consciousness itself.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether the PFC contributes to the neural correlates of conscious perception.
• To differentiate PFC involvement in conscious perception from executive functions and reporting processes.

Main Methods:

• Simultaneous probing of neuronal populations in the rhesus macaque PFC.
• Utilizing a no-report paradigm with internally generated perceptual transitions.
• Employing single-trial, population decoding analyses.

Main Results:

• Feature-selective prefrontal neurons modulated with subjective perception and perceptual suppression.
• Reliable decoding of conscious contents from PFC activity during both externally and internally driven perception changes.
• Decoding remained significant even when oculomotor responses were suppressed.

Conclusions:

• Prefrontal cortex activity reliably reflects internally generated changes in conscious visual perception.
• Findings challenge the view that PFC is solely involved in post-perceptual processes.
• Suggests PFC plays a direct role in the neural representation of conscious experience.