Alpha-band oscillations in visual cortex: part of the neural correlate of visual awareness?

Author(s): Sewards, M. A.

Journal/Book: Int J Psychophysiol. 1999; 32: PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands. Elsevier Science Bv. 35-45.

Abstract: It was originally proposed that synchronized gamma-band oscillations in neurons of the visual cortex constitute the neural correlate of visual awareness. Two hypotheses are presented in this article: (a) both alpha-band and gamma-band oscillatory activity correspond to visual awareness; and (b) alpha-band activity occurs in the parvocellular processing pathway and gamma-band activity occurs in the magnocellular pathway, and the two modes of oscillation are correlated. It is further proposed that the frequency of the gamma-band oscillation in a group of neurons representing a particular visual scene segment is three times that of the alpha-band oscillation in the neurons representing the same segment. These hypotheses are discussed in relation to recent neurophysiological and psychophysiological experiments.

Note: Article Sewards TV, Sandia Res Ctr, 21 Perdiz Canyon Rd, Placitas,NM 87043 USA

Keyword(s): temporal binding; temporal phase; consciousness; visual awareness; scene segmentation; synchronous oscillations; perceptual binding; visual cortex; magnocellular; parvocellular; cat; monkey; REAL-MOTION CELLS; NEURONAL RESPONSES; MACAQUE MONKEY; AREA V4; PARVOCELLULAR CONTRIBUTIONS; CORTICAL AREAS; STRIATE CORTEX; CAT; SYNCHRONIZATION; COHERENT

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