The neural signature of human (sub)conscious visual processing

The concept of subconscious information processing has intrigued

investigators from different research disciplines for a long time. Visual

input can be dissociated from perceptual awareness through different

stimulus presentation paradigms to study subconscious visual

processing. Until now, these paradigms were mainly a research topic

in human cognitive psychology and non-human primate

electrophysiology. Neurobehavioral and fMRI studies in humans

suggest the presence of subconscious information processing in

certain brain areas. Human electrophysiological research to study

conscious and subconscious visual processing, however, remains

scarce to non-existent. Recent advances in the research field paved

the way to study visual processing in humans though multi-electrode

arrays, on top of the conventional registrations through depth

electrodes and electrocorticography (ECoG). We therefore aim to

elucidate the mechanisms of both conscious and subconscious visual

processing in humans in different brain areas through invasive brain

registrations.