Pop-out search instigates beta-gated feature selectivity enhancement across V4 layers

Visual search is a work-horse for investigating how attention interacts with processing of sensory information. Attentional selection has been linked to altered cortical sensory responses and feature preferences (i.e., tuning). However, attentional modulation of feature selectivity during search is largely unexplored. Here we map the spatiotemporal profile of feature selectivity during singleton search. Monkeys performed search where a pop-out feature determined the target of attention. We recorded laminar neural responses from visual area V4. We first identified “feature columns” which showed preference for individual colors. In the unattended condition, feature columns were significantly more selective in superficial relative to middle and deep layers. Attending a stimulus increased selectivity in all layers but not equally. Feature selectivity increased most in the deep layers, leading to higher selectivity in extragranular layers as compared to the middle layer. This attention-induc...

视觉搜索是探究注意如何与感觉信息加工交互作用的经典研究范式。注意选择与皮层感觉反应的改变以及特征偏好（即调谐特性）密切相关。然而，搜索过程中特征选择性的注意调控机制在很大程度上仍未被探明。本研究绘制了单例搜索（singleton search）过程中特征选择性的时空分布特征。实验中，猕猴完成基于突现特征确定注意靶标的搜索任务。我们记录了视觉皮层V4区的分层神经反应。我们首先识别出对单一颜色具有偏好的特征柱（feature columns）。在非注意条件下，特征柱的选择性在皮层表层显著高于中层与深层。对刺激施加注意可提升所有皮层层的特征选择性，但提升幅度并不均等。特征选择性在深层提升最为显著，最终使得颗粒层外皮层层的选择性相较于中层更高。这一注意诱导的……