Functional representation of vision within the mind: A visual consciousness model based in 3D default space. Issue 1 (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jerath, Ravinder; Crawford, Molly W.; Barnes, Vernon A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of medical hypotheses and ideas. Volume 9:Issue 1(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 45
• Page End: 56
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Retina -- 3D default space -- Corticothalamic feedback loops -- Thalamus -- Visual consciousness -- Intrapersonal space; Medicine -- Iran -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Iran; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmhi.2015.02.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2251-7294

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Abstract : Highlights: The article examines a novel hypothesis about visual consciousness processing. Visual information is recreated internally within the mind but perceived as external. Images projected on the retina are inverted while the recreated images are upright. The thalamus integrates and fills in 3D default space with processed visual info. This 3D default space is comprised of intrapersonal space and all cells of the body. Abstract: The human eyes and brain, which have finite boundaries, create a "virtual" space within our central nervous system that interprets and perceives a space that appears boundless and infinite. Using insights from studies on the visual system, we propose a novel fast processing mechanism involving the eyes, visual pathways, and cortex where external vision is imperceptibly processed in our brain in real time creating an internal representation of external space that appears as an external view. We introduce the existence of a three-dimension default space consisting of intrapersonal body space that serves as the framework where visual and non-visual sensory information is sensed and experienced. We propose that the thalamus integrates processed information from corticothalamic feedback loops and fills-in the neural component of 3D default space with an internal visual representation of external space, leading to the experience of visual consciousness. This visual space inherently evades perception so we have introduced three easy clinical tests that can assist in experiencing this visual space. We also review visual neuroanatomical pathways, binocular vision, neurological disorders, and visual phenomenon to elucidate how the representation of external visible space is recreated within the mind.