Integration of multiple motion vectors over space: an fMRI study of transparent motion perception

Muckli, L. , Singer, W., Zanella, F.E. and Goebel, R. (2002) Integration of multiple motion vectors over space: an fMRI study of transparent motion perception. NeuroImage, 16(4), pp. 843-856. (doi: 10.1006/nimg.2002.1085) (PMID:12202074)

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Abstract

Visual scenes are frequently composed of objects that move in different directions. To segment such scenes into distinct objects or image planes, local motion cues have to be evaluated and integrated according to criteria of global coherence. When several populations of coherently moving random dots penetrate each other, the visual system tends to assign them to different planes-perceived as transparent motion. This process of integration was studied by changing the angle of motion trajectories with which groups of dots penetrate each other or by varying the spatial constellation of dots moving in opponent directions. Psychophysical testing revealed that stimuli providing almost identical local motion cues could be perceived in three very different ways: (1) as a matrix of stationary flickering dots, (2) as a single surface of coherently moving dots, and (3) as two transparent dot matrices moving in different directions. Behaviorally controlled functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to identify brain regions that contribute to the integration of local motion cues into coherently moving surfaces. Activation of the human motion complex (hMT+/V5) and of areas in the fusiform gyrus (FG) as well as in the intraparietal sulcus (IPS-occ) was correlated with the perception of coherent motion and especially hMT+/V5 took a central role in differentiating transparent motion from single-surface coherent motion.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Muckli, Professor Lars
Authors: Muckli, L., Singer, W., Zanella, F.E., and Goebel, R.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
College of Science and Engineering > School of Psychology
Journal Name:NeuroImage
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:1053-8119
ISSN (Online):1095-9572
Published Online:22 August 2002

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