Contextual Modulation of Primary Visual Cortex by Temporal Predictability During Motion Extrapolation

ABSTRACT Background Predicting future events is a fundamental cognitive ability that often depends on the volatility of the environment. Previous studies on apparent motion reported that when the brain is confronted with low levels of predictability, activity in low‐level sensory areas is enhanced,...

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Main Authors: Camila Silveira Agostino, Herman Hinrichs, Toemme Noesselt
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-08-01
Series:Brain and Behavior
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70769
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author Camila Silveira Agostino
Herman Hinrichs
Toemme Noesselt
author_facet Camila Silveira Agostino
Herman Hinrichs
Toemme Noesselt
author_sort Camila Silveira Agostino
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Background Predicting future events is a fundamental cognitive ability that often depends on the volatility of the environment. Previous studies on apparent motion reported that when the brain is confronted with low levels of predictability, activity in low‐level sensory areas is enhanced, including the primary visual cortex, while others suggest that the enhanced activity in this area is independent of the predictability level. Consequentially, it remains unclear how temporal predictability modulates brain responses in continuous, thus more ecologically valid, motion paradigms. Purpose Our study investigated whether motion extrapolation in high and low predictable contexts would differently modulate fMRI responses in subject‐specific primary visual cortex during visible and partially occluded stimulation. Methods and Materials Eighteen participants performed a modified version of the interception paradigm in visible and occluded phases, in which they observed a stimulus moving horizontally, then vertically at two different velocities, while fMRI data was acquired. They judged when and where the stimulus would reach a given point of contact. In a high predictable context, the velocity was identical during horizontal and vertical (occluded) movement; whereas, in a low predictable context, the velocity could change during the vertical trajectory, introducing a temporal incongruence to the task with a predictive role of velocity on the trajectory estimation. Results Univariate results indicated that on average both low and high predictable contexts similarly modulated activity in primary visual areas. On the other hand, trial‐history analysis showed that a change in trial type (constant velocity after change in velocity and vice versa) increased BOLD responses in V1. Conclusion This pattern of results suggests that motion extrapolation can modulate activity in the primary visual cortex regardless of average predictability but is influenced by recent trial history. These results were further supported by multivariate pattern analysis, which revealed different patterns when comparing congruent and incongruent trials in the context of lower predictability.
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spelling doaj-art-db9adffa18d4422dae918a7b84b0eb752025-08-23T04:45:26ZengWileyBrain and Behavior2162-32792025-08-01158n/an/a10.1002/brb3.70769Contextual Modulation of Primary Visual Cortex by Temporal Predictability During Motion ExtrapolationCamila Silveira Agostino0Herman Hinrichs1Toemme Noesselt2Department of Biological Psychology Otto‐von‐Guericke‐Universität Magdeburg Magdeburg GermanyCenter For Behavioral Brain Sciences Otto‐von‐Guericke‐Universität Magdeburg GermanyDepartment of Biological Psychology Otto‐von‐Guericke‐Universität Magdeburg Magdeburg GermanyABSTRACT Background Predicting future events is a fundamental cognitive ability that often depends on the volatility of the environment. Previous studies on apparent motion reported that when the brain is confronted with low levels of predictability, activity in low‐level sensory areas is enhanced, including the primary visual cortex, while others suggest that the enhanced activity in this area is independent of the predictability level. Consequentially, it remains unclear how temporal predictability modulates brain responses in continuous, thus more ecologically valid, motion paradigms. Purpose Our study investigated whether motion extrapolation in high and low predictable contexts would differently modulate fMRI responses in subject‐specific primary visual cortex during visible and partially occluded stimulation. Methods and Materials Eighteen participants performed a modified version of the interception paradigm in visible and occluded phases, in which they observed a stimulus moving horizontally, then vertically at two different velocities, while fMRI data was acquired. They judged when and where the stimulus would reach a given point of contact. In a high predictable context, the velocity was identical during horizontal and vertical (occluded) movement; whereas, in a low predictable context, the velocity could change during the vertical trajectory, introducing a temporal incongruence to the task with a predictive role of velocity on the trajectory estimation. Results Univariate results indicated that on average both low and high predictable contexts similarly modulated activity in primary visual areas. On the other hand, trial‐history analysis showed that a change in trial type (constant velocity after change in velocity and vice versa) increased BOLD responses in V1. Conclusion This pattern of results suggests that motion extrapolation can modulate activity in the primary visual cortex regardless of average predictability but is influenced by recent trial history. These results were further supported by multivariate pattern analysis, which revealed different patterns when comparing congruent and incongruent trials in the context of lower predictability.https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70769
spellingShingle Camila Silveira Agostino
Herman Hinrichs
Toemme Noesselt
Contextual Modulation of Primary Visual Cortex by Temporal Predictability During Motion Extrapolation
Brain and Behavior
title Contextual Modulation of Primary Visual Cortex by Temporal Predictability During Motion Extrapolation
title_full Contextual Modulation of Primary Visual Cortex by Temporal Predictability During Motion Extrapolation
title_fullStr Contextual Modulation of Primary Visual Cortex by Temporal Predictability During Motion Extrapolation
title_full_unstemmed Contextual Modulation of Primary Visual Cortex by Temporal Predictability During Motion Extrapolation
title_short Contextual Modulation of Primary Visual Cortex by Temporal Predictability During Motion Extrapolation
title_sort contextual modulation of primary visual cortex by temporal predictability during motion extrapolation
url https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70769
work_keys_str_mv AT camilasilveiraagostino contextualmodulationofprimaryvisualcortexbytemporalpredictabilityduringmotionextrapolation
AT hermanhinrichs contextualmodulationofprimaryvisualcortexbytemporalpredictabilityduringmotionextrapolation
AT toemmenoesselt contextualmodulationofprimaryvisualcortexbytemporalpredictabilityduringmotionextrapolation