Searching for serial dependencies in the brain

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Illusion of visual stability through active perceptual serial dependence

Mauro Manassi et al.

Summary: Despite the dynamic nature of the visual world, our perceptual experience remains stable over time. This study introduces a previously unknown visual illusion that provides direct evidence for an online mechanism that continuously smooths our perceptions. The findings suggest that past visual experiences up to 15 seconds ago can influence the appearance of objects, indicating a continuous merging of object representation over time. This illusion of stability is attributed to an underlying active mechanism of serial dependence in visual representations.

SCIENCE ADVANCES (2022)

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Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Attractive serial dependence overcomes repulsive neuronal adaptation

Timothy C. Sheehan et al.

Summary: This study found that sensory responses and behavior are influenced by stimulus history. While perceptual reports tend to be biased towards previously viewed stimuli, response patterns in the visual cortex show a repulsive bias. By using a model, the researchers suggest that both sensory encoding and readout mechanisms are shaped by stimulus history.

PLOS BIOLOGY (2022)

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Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Serial dependence revealed in history-dependent perceptual templates

Yuki Murai et al.

Summary: In any given perceptual task, the visual system selectively weighs or filters incoming information to make perceptual decisions. The study reveals that perceptual templates are altered by serial dependence, biasing towards previously seen orientations, leading to a change in perceptual appearance.

CURRENT BIOLOGY (2021)

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Article Neurosciences