An open-access multi-site fMRI dataset for investigating conscious visual perception

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Psychology

Background:

• Consciousness research seeks to differentiate between competing theories like the Global Neuronal Workspace theory (GNWT) and Integrated Information Theory (IIT).
• Existing datasets may lack the specific design or comprehensive data required for direct theoretical arbitration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel, reusable functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) dataset designed to arbitrate between the GNWT and IIT.
• To facilitate research in consciousness and visual processing through accessible, well-documented data.

Main Methods:

• Collected fMRI data from 118 participants performing a visual stimulus identification task.
• Utilized suprathreshold visual stimuli across four categories, three orientations, and three durations, with task-relevance manipulated.
• Anonymized and converted data to Brain Imaging Data Structure (BIDS) format, including quality reports, demographics, behavioral, and eye-tracking data.

Main Results:

• The dataset is structured for broad reusability in testing consciousness theories and exploring visual processing.
• Provided accompanying code for data preprocessing and analysis, enhancing accessibility and utility.

Conclusions:

• This dataset offers a valuable resource for researchers investigating the neural correlates of consciousness and visual perception.
• The adversarial collaboration design and BIDS format ensure the data's robustness and ease of integration into diverse research pipelines.