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Visual Processing

We investigate how visual cortex represents sensory input, contextual information, and task-relevant features, with a focus on early visual areas and their interactions with higher cortical regions.

Top-down Feedback

A central goal of the lab is to understand how higher brain areas influence sensory cortex through feedback and recurrent interactions, carrying contextual and predictive signals.

Prediction and Internal Models

We study how the brain uses prior knowledge and learned regularities to generate predictions about incoming sensory information, and how these signals are represented in early visual cortex.

Neural Population Dynamics

Using electrophysiology, imaging, and computational approaches, we investigate how information is encoded across neural populations and how these representations evolve over time.

Publications

Full publication list: Google Scholar

2025

  • Self MW, Vilela-Filho O, Neuenschwander S, Silva-Filho HF, Goulart LC, Roelfsema PR (2025). Effects of eye closure on the spiking activity of human lateral geniculate neurons. Nature Communications.
  • Possel JK, Roelfsema PR, Self MW (2025). Orientation-tuned surround-suppression is strongest within perceived 3D surfaces. Journal of Vision.

2024

  • Jeurissen D, van Ham AF, Gilhuis A, Papale P, Roelfsema PR, Self MW (2024). Border-ownership tuning determines the connectivity between V4 and V1 in the macaque visual system. Nature Communications.
  • Papale P, Zuiderbaan W, Teeuwen RRM, Gilhuis A, Self MW, Roelfsema PR, Dumoulin SO (2024). V1 neurons are tuned to perceptual borders in natural scenes. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

2023

  • Papale P, Wang F, Morgan AT, Chen X, Gilhuis A, Petro LS, Muckli L, Roelfsema PR, Self MW (2023). The representation of occluded image regions in area V1 of monkeys and humans. Current Biology.
  • Kirchberger L, Mukherjee S, Self MW, Roelfsema PR (2023). Contextual drive of neuronal responses in mouse V1 in the absence of feedforward input. Science Advances.

2021

  • Kirchberger L et al. (2021). The essential role of recurrent processing for figure-ground perception in mice. Science Advances.
  • Reddy L, Self MW et al. (2021). Theta-phase dependent neuronal coding during sequence learning in human single neurons. Nature Communications.
  • van Beest EH et al. (2021). Mouse visual cortex contains a region of enhanced spatial resolution. Nature Communications.
  • Teeuwen RRM, Wacongne C, Schnabel UH, Self MW, Roelfsema PR (2021). A neuronal basis of iconic memory in macaque primary visual cortex. Current Biology.

2019

  • Self MW, van Kerkoerle T, Goebel R, Roelfsema PR (2019). Benchmarking laminar fMRI: neuronal spiking and synaptic activity during top-down and bottom-up processing. NeuroImage.
  • Self MW et al. (2019). The segmentation of proto-objects in the monkey primary visual cortex. Current Biology.
  • Vangeneugden J et al. (2019). Activity in lateral visual areas contributes to surround suppression in awake mouse V1. Current Biology.

2017

  • van Kerkoerle T, Self MW, Roelfsema PR (2017). Layer-specificity in the effects of attention and working memory on activity in primary visual cortex. Nature Communications.

2016

  • Self MW et al. (2016). The effects of context and attention on spiking activity in human early visual cortex. PLoS Biology.
  • Poort J, Self MW et al. (2016). Texture segregation causes early figure enhancement and later ground suppression. Cerebral Cortex.

2015

  • Reddy L et al. (2015). Learning of anticipatory responses in single neurons of the human medial temporal lobe. Nature Communications.

2014

  • van Kerkoerle T, Self MW et al. (2014). Alpha and gamma oscillations characterize feedback and feedforward processing in monkey visual cortex. PNAS.
  • Self MW et al. (2014). Orientation-tuned surround suppression in mouse visual cortex. Journal of Neuroscience.

2013

  • Self MW et al. (2013). Distinct roles of cortical layers of area V1 in figure-ground segregation. Current Biology.

2012

  • Self MW et al. (2012). Different glutamate receptors convey feedforward and recurrent processing in macaque V1. PNAS.

2010

  • Self MW, Roelfsema PR (2010). A monocular, unconscious form of visual attention. Journal of Vision.

2005

  • Self MW, Zeki S (2005). The integration of colour and motion by the human visual brain. Cerebral Cortex.