Spike timing neural network model of conscious visual perception

The aim of the paper is to investigate the influence of thalamo-cortical connectivity on the conscious perception of visual stimuli. We conducted simulation experiments changing the key parameters of our spike timing neural network model of visual perception and decision making that are supposed to be related to conscious perception, namely bottom-up and top-down connections between thalamic relay, including Thalamic reticulate nucleus (TRN) and Lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), and primary visual cortex (V1). The model output, that is perceptual based decision in the lateral intrapareital (LIP) area of the brain for left or right saccade generation, was observed. Conclusions about the influence of altered key parameters on the ability of our model to take proper decision were commented in respect to the observed activity in the brain areas responsible for conscious visual perception and decision making.