On the “blindness” of blindsight: What is the evidence for phenomenal awareness in the absence of primary visual cortex (V1)?

Mazzi, C., Savazzi, S. and Silvanto, J. 2019. On the “blindness” of blindsight: What is the evidence for phenomenal awareness in the absence of primary visual cortex (V1)? Neuropsychologia. 128, pp. 103-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2017.10.029

TitleOn the “blindness” of blindsight: What is the evidence for phenomenal awareness in the absence of primary visual cortex (V1)?
TypeJournal article
AuthorsMazzi, C.
Savazzi, S.
Silvanto, J.
Abstract

Blindsight has been central to theories of phenomenal awareness; that a lesion to primary visual cortex (V1) abolishes all phenomenal awareness while unconscious visual functions can remain has led to the views that this region plays in generating visual consciousness. However, since the early 20th century, there have been reports, many of which controversial, of phenomenal awareness in patients with V1 lesions. These reports include selective sparing of motion awareness, hemianopic completion and visual aftereffects. More recently, there have been successful attempts of inducing visual qualia with noninvasive brain stimulation. Here we critically review this evidence and discuss their implications to theoretical understanding of phenomenal awareness.

JournalNeuropsychologia
Journal citation128, pp. 103-108
ISSN0028-3932
Year2019
PublisherElsevier
Accepted author manuscript
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2017.10.029
Publication dates
Published online24 Oct 2017
PublishedMay 2019
FunderERC - European Research Council
LicenseCC BY-NC-ND 4.0

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