It is known that ventral premotor cortex responds selectively to the visual perception of object shapes. However, it is unclear whether this activation also contributes to visual processing. OBJECTIVE: In this study we want to assess whether activation in premotor areas contributes to visual perception of objects. METHODS: We measure performance on a perception task while delivering single pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to the left premotor cortex at different latencies after stimulus onset. RESULTS: We show that in cases of limited visual consciousness, disturbing the left premotor cortex 150 ms after stimulus onset results in a decrease in the capacity to recognize shapes, compared both to other latencies and to stimulation of the vertex. CONCLUSION: Premotor cortex plays a constitutive role in object shape recognition.
Single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation reveals contribution of premotor cortex to object shape recognition
MARZOLI, DANIELE;CAPOTOSTO, PAOLO;TOMMASI, Luca;
2015-01-01
Abstract
It is known that ventral premotor cortex responds selectively to the visual perception of object shapes. However, it is unclear whether this activation also contributes to visual processing. OBJECTIVE: In this study we want to assess whether activation in premotor areas contributes to visual perception of objects. METHODS: We measure performance on a perception task while delivering single pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to the left premotor cortex at different latencies after stimulus onset. RESULTS: We show that in cases of limited visual consciousness, disturbing the left premotor cortex 150 ms after stimulus onset results in a decrease in the capacity to recognize shapes, compared both to other latencies and to stimulation of the vertex. CONCLUSION: Premotor cortex plays a constitutive role in object shape recognition.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
