Sheng He, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
University of Minnesota
March 14, 2007

Visual information processing involves the continual interplay of the feedforward and feedback flow of information. We used a number of techniques to render images invisible to reduce the influence of feedback in visual perception. Both behavioral and neuroimaging measures support the extensive cortical processing of invisible information (e.g., V1-hV4 response to invisible fused chromatic flicker, dorsal areas' response to invisible tools, STS' response to invisible fearful faces). These studies also shed light on what types of neural processes are closely correlated with visual awareness and what types of processes are more independent of awareness states.