Out of sight but not out of mind: the neurophysiology of iconic memory in the superior temporal sulcus

C Keysers, Dengke Xiao, Peter Foldiak, David Ian Perrett

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Iconic memory, the short-lasting visual memory of a briefly flashed stimulus, is an important component of most models of visual perception. Here we investigate what physiological mechanisms underlie this capacity by showing rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) sequences with and without interstimulus gaps to human observers and macaque monkeys. For gaps of up to 93 ms between consecutive images, human observers and neurones in the temporal cortex of macaque monkeys were found to continue processing a stimulus as if it was still present on the screen. The continued firing of neurotics in temporal cortex may therefore underlie iconic memory. Based on these findings, a neurophysiological vision of iconic memory is presented.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)316 - 332
Number of pages17
JournalCognitive Neuropsychology
Volume22
Issue number3/4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2005

Keywords

  • CORTICAL-NEURONS
  • VISUAL MASKING
  • TIME COURSE
  • INFORMATION
  • CORTEX
  • PERSISTENCE
  • RESPONSES
  • STIMULI
  • MONKEYS
  • VISION

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