Are we aware of neural activity in primary visual cortex?

Crick, Francis; Koch, Christof

doi:10.1038/375121a0

Cited by 932Visual perception and processing mechanismsPhilosophy and Theoretical ScienceFace Recognition and Perception

Are we aware of neural activity in primary visual cortex?

Crick, Francis, Koch, Christof·1995·Nature

DOI 10.1038/375121a0

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Abstract

It is usually assumed that people are visually aware of at least some of the neuronal activity in the primary visual area, V1, of the neocortex. But the neuroanatomy of the macaque monkey suggests that, although primates may be aware of neural activity in other visual cortical areas, they are not directly aware of that in area V1. There is some psychophysical evidence in humans that supports this hypothesis.

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Sensory stimuli transduced by sensory organs reach specific thalamic nuclei that relay information to primary sensory cortices, which in turn filter and eventually transmit information to secondary sensory areas.
“Sensory stimuli transduced by sensory organs reach specific thalamic nuclei that relay information to primary sensory cortices, which in turn filter and eventually transmit information to secondary sensory areas (Crick and Koch, 1995).”
From Perception is associated with the brain’s metabolic response to sensory stimulation (2022) · cites this paper as Crick and Koch, 1995

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Authors: Crick, F., & Koch, C.
Affiliations: Salk Institute for Biological Studies (US)
Venue: Nature
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 1995-05
Volume: 375
Issue: 6527
Pages: 121-123
ISSN: 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
1476-4687
DOI: 10.1038/375121a0
OpenAlex: W2027494808
Cited by: 932
References: 4
Citations by year: 2026: 9 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 32 · 2014: 37 · 2013: 28 · 2012: 30
FWCI: 33.80
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations: Nature (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
CaltechAUTHORS (California Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion)
Topics: Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Visual perception and processing mechanisms
Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Philosophy and Theoretical Science
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Face Recognition and Perception
Keywords: primary visual cortex, visual awareness, visual perception, visual cortex
MeSH terms: Animals, Brain Mapping, Consciousness, Frontal Lobe, Humans, Macaca, Neurons, Visual Cortex

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Are we aware of neural activity in primary visual cortex?

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