Envisioning the reward

Van Ooyen, A., and Roelfsema, P. R. (2006). Neuron 50: 188-190. [Full text: PDF]

Abstract

The primary visual cortex (area V1) is for vision. At least, that is what most researchers believe. However, in a recent issue of Science, Shuler and Bear demonstrate a correlate of reward timing in area V1. This surprising result indicates that brain circuits for reward processing are more extensive than expected and that area V1 has more functionality than previously thought. (Preview of M. G. Shuler and M. F. Bear, 2006, Reward timing in the primary visual cortex, Science 311: 1606-1609.)