Using biologically plausible neural models to specify the functional and neural mechanisms of visual search

Humphreys, Glyn W.; Allen, Harriet A.; Mavritsaki, Eirini

Abstract

We review research from our laboratory that attempts to pull apart the functional and neural mechanisms of visual search using converging, inter-disciplinary evidence from experimental studies with normal participants, neuropsychological studies with brain lesioned patients, functional brain imaging and computational modelling. The work suggests that search is determined by excitatory mechanisms that support the selection of target stimuli, and inhibitory mechanisms that suppress irrelevant distractors. These mechanisms operate through separable though overlapping neural circuits which can be functionally decomposed by imposing model-based analyses on brain imaging data. The chapter highlights the need for inter-disciplinary research for understanding complex cognitive processes at several levels.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Sep 4, 2009
• Journal: Progress in Brain Research
• Electronic ISSN: 1875-7855
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 176
• APA6 Citation: Humphreys, G. W., Allen, H. A., & Mavritsaki, E. (2009). Using biologically plausible neural models to specify the functional and neural mechanisms of visual search. Progress in Brain Research, 176, doi:10.1016/S0079-6123(09)17609-4
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0079-6123%2809%2917609-4
• Keywords: Visual search; Visual attention; Computational modelling; Functional brain imaging
• Publisher URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0079612309176094
• Copyright Statement: Copyright information regarding this work can be found at the following address: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0