Cited by 375EEG and Brain-Computer InterfacesFunctional Brain Connectivity StudiesVisual perception and processing mechanisms

Decoding Patterns of Human Brain Activity

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Tong, Frank, Pratte, Michael S.·2012·Annual Review of Psychology

Abstract

Considerable information about mental states can be decoded from noninvasive measures of human brain activity. Analyses of brain activity patterns can reveal what a person is seeing, perceiving, attending to, or remembering. Moreover, multidimensional models can be used to investigate how the brain encodes complex visual scenes or abstract semantic information. Such feats of “brain reading” or “mind reading,” though impressive, raise important conceptual, methodological, and ethical issues. What does successful decoding reveal about the cognitive functions performed by a brain region? How should brain signals be spatially selected and mathematically combined to ensure that decoding reflects inherent computations of the brain rather than those performed by the decoder? We highlight recent advances and describe how multivoxel pattern analysis can provide a window into mind-brain relationships with unprecedented specificity, when carefully applied. However, as brain-reading technology advances, issues of neuroethics and mental privacy will be important to consider.

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  • Decoding and other types of multivariate pattern analysis have helped reveal the content of regional representations, providing evidence that brain-computational models must incorporate.

    “Decoding and other types of multivariate pattern analysis have helped reveal the content of regional representations55,56,58,59, providing evidence that brain-computational models must incorporate.”

    From Cognitive computational neuroscience (2018) · cites this paper as [56]

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Bizzi E, Hyman SE, Raichle ME, Kanwisher N, Phelps EA, 2009 Using imaging to identify deceit: Scientific and ethical questions. Cambridge, MA: American Academy of Arts and Sciences
  2. Shen FX, Jones OD, (2 23, 2011)., Vol., 2011. In press Brain Scans as Evidence: Truths, Proofs, Lies, and Lessons Mercer Law Review 62

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Authors
Tong, F., & Pratte, M. S.
Affiliations
Vanderbilt University (US)
Venue
Annual Review of Psychology
Published
2012-01-10
Volume
63
Issue
1
Pages
483-509
ISSN
  • 0066-4308 (ISSN-L)
  • 1545-2085
OpenAlex
W2109883003
Cited by
375
References
146
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 79 · 2017: 42 · 2016: 32 · 2015: 27 · 2014: 27 · 2013: 32 · 2012: 11
FWCI
1.96
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Annual Review of Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Eye Institute (R01EY017082)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › EEG and Brain-Computer Interfaces
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Visual perception and processing mechanisms
Keywords
multi-voxel pattern analysis, brain decoding, theory of mind, mental state inference, visual perception, memory, semantic encoding, neuroethics, mental privacy, mind-brain relationship, non-invasive brain imaging
MeSH terms
Brain, Brain Mapping, Humans, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Memory, Visual Perception, Functional Neuroimaging

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