Neurons’ “antennae” are unexpectedly active in neural computation
When the soma of specific neurons is active, the dendrites of the same neuron are also active, even when animals are not engaged in a cognitively demanding task. ... Read More...
visual cortex
Brains of children with epilepsy able to re-map after surgery to retain visual perception
Following surgery, the brains of children with epilepsy are able to remap and compensate for damaged areas of the visual cortex. The findings shed light on brain plasticity.... Read More...
Waterfall illusion: when you see still objects move – and what it tells you about your brain
Researchers reveal what optical illusions tell us about the workings of the brain.... Read More...
Brain stimulation enhances visual learning speed and efficiency
Transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) helps boost visual learning in patients with chronic cortical blindness, leading to a recovery in motion processing within 10 days of exposure. The effects of the tRNS treatment appear to last for at least six months.... Read More...
Developing a headset to transfer visual perceptions from the sighted to the blind
Researchers are developing a new brain-to-brain communication headset that will allow the transfer of visual information from those with sight to the blind. The non-invasive system will 'write' information to neurons reprogrammed to fire in response to magnetic signals. ... Read More...
Room for thought: Brain region that watches for walls identified
MEG neuroimaging implicates the occipital place area (OPA) in our ability to rapidly sense our surroundings. The findings may advance improving machine learning and robotics technology aimed at mimicking visual processes in the human brain.... Read More...
Why visual stimulation may work in fight against Alzheimer’s: Mouse study
Inducing gamma oscillations with visual stimulation via a process known as gamma entrainment using sensory stimuli, or GENUS, was shown to reduce amyloid plaques and phosphorylated tau in mouse models of dementia. Providing GENUS daily during the early stages of neurodegeneration helps preserve neural and synaptic density across multiple brain areas and improves cognitive performance for learning and spatial memory tasks.... Read More...
A brain region for Pokémon characters?
Adults who played Pokemon video games as children had preferential activation in the visual system for Pokemon character, researchers report. The finding shed light on the development of the visual system and categorization in the brain. ... Read More...
Artificial intelligence reveals what neurons in the visual cortex prefer to look at
A new deep learning algorithm can reliably determine what visual stimuli neurons in the visual cortex respond best to.... Read More...
Artificial neural networks can be used to drive brain activity
Current deep learning models are able to create images strongly enough to activate specific neurons in the visual cortex. However, researchers say more accurate artificial neural network models should be developed to help produce more accurate control.... Read More...
These trippy images were designed by AI to super-stimulate monkey neurons
The XDREAM generative deep neural network utilizes firing rates of neurons in the visual cortex to guide the evolution of a novel, synthetic image. The evolved images activate neurons more than large numbers of natural images.... Read More...
Brain mapping: New technique reveals how information is processed
Combining infrared laser stimulation with ultra-high-field MRI, researchers revolutionize brain mapping.... Read More...