The Surface Area of Human V1 Predicts the Subjective Experience of Object Size

Overview

Journal Nat Neurosci

Date 2010 Dec 7

PMID 21131954

Citations 126

Authors

D Samuel Schwarzkopf

Chen Song

Geraint Rees

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The surface area of human primary visual cortex (V1) varies substantially between individuals for unknown reasons. We found that this variability was strongly and negatively correlated with the magnitude of two common visual illusions, where two physically identical objects appear different in size as a result of their context. Because such illusions dissociate conscious perception from physical stimulation, our findings indicate that the surface area of V1 predicts variability in conscious experience.

Citing Articles

Rhythmic beta-frequency TMS over human right parietal cortex strengthens visual size illusions.

Han X, Wang C, Chen L Psychon Bull Rev. 2025; .

PMID: 39918716 DOI: 10.3758/s13423-025-02649-x.

Computational complexity as a potential limitation on brain-behaviour mapping.

Ozkirli A, Herzog M, Jastrzebowska M Eur J Neurosci. 2025; 61(1):e16636.

PMID: 39777929 PMC: 11706805. DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16636.

Frontostriatal salience network expansion in individuals in depression.

Lynch C, Elbau I, Ng T, Ayaz A, Zhu S, Wolk D Nature. 2024; 633(8030):624-633.

PMID: 39232159 PMC: 11410656. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07805-2.

The effect of shape on visual size perception.

Zhang X, Li S, Yin K Iperception. 2024; 15(4):20416695241270301.

PMID: 39185509 PMC: 11342332. DOI: 10.1177/20416695241270301.

Distinct Contributions of Alpha and Beta Oscillations to Context-Dependent Visual Size Perception.

Chen L, Jiang Y Neurosci Bull. 2024; 40(12):1875-1885.

PMID: 39078596 PMC: 11625041. DOI: 10.1007/s12264-024-01257-4.

References

Adams D, Sincich L, Horton J . Complete pattern of ocular dominance columns in human primary visual cortex. J Neurosci. 2007; 27(39):10391-403. PMC: 6673158. DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2923-07.2007. View

de Fockert J, Davidoff J, Fagot J, Parron C, Goldstein J . More accurate size contrast judgments in the Ebbinghaus Illusion by a remote culture. J Exp Psychol Hum Percept Perform. 2007; 33(3):738-42. DOI: 10.1037/0096-1523.33.3.738. View

Sereno M, Dale A, Reppas J, Kwong K, Belliveau J, Brady T . Borders of multiple visual areas in humans revealed by functional magnetic resonance imaging. Science. 1995; 268(5212):889-93. DOI: 10.1126/science.7754376. View

Bosking W, Zhang Y, Schofield B, Fitzpatrick D . Orientation selectivity and the arrangement of horizontal connections in tree shrew striate cortex. J Neurosci. 1997; 17(6):2112-27. PMC: 6793759. View

Edden R, Muthukumaraswamy S, Freeman T, Singh K . Orientation discrimination performance is predicted by GABA concentration and gamma oscillation frequency in human primary visual cortex. J Neurosci. 2009; 29(50):15721-6. PMC: 6666191. DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4426-09.2009. View

Dakin S, Frith U . Vagaries of visual perception in autism. Neuron. 2005; 48(3):497-507. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2005.10.018. View

Duncan R, Boynton G . Cortical magnification within human primary visual cortex correlates with acuity thresholds. Neuron. 2003; 38(4):659-71. DOI: 10.1016/s0896-6273(03)00265-4. View

Fisher G . Detection of visual stimuli located within angles. Nature. 1967; 215(5100):553-4. DOI: 10.1038/215553a0. View

Gilbert C, Wiesel T . Columnar specificity of intrinsic horizontal and corticocortical connections in cat visual cortex. J Neurosci. 1989; 9(7):2432-42. PMC: 6569760. View

10.

Fang F, Boyaci H, Kersten D, Murray S . Attention-dependent representation of a size illusion in human V1. Curr Biol. 2008; 18(21):1707-12. PMC: 2638992. DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2008.09.025. View

11.

Murray S, Boyaci H, Kersten D . The representation of perceived angular size in human primary visual cortex. Nat Neurosci. 2006; 9(3):429-34. DOI: 10.1038/nn1641. View

12.

Dougherty R, Koch V, Brewer A, Fischer B, Modersitzki J, Wandell B . Visual field representations and locations of visual areas V1/2/3 in human visual cortex. J Vis. 2003; 3(10):586-98. DOI: 10.1167/3.10.1. View

13.

Massaro D, Anderson N . Judgmental model of the Ebbinghaus illusion. J Exp Psychol. 1971; 89(1):147-51. DOI: 10.1037/h0031158. View

14.

Frith , Perry , Lumer . The neural correlates of conscious experience: an experimental framework. Trends Cogn Sci. 1999; 3(3):105-114. DOI: 10.1016/s1364-6613(99)01281-4. View