HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Corballis, P. M. Articles by Shapley, R. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Corballis, P. M. Articles by Shapley, R. M.

Illusory Contour Perception and Amodal Boundary Completion: Evidence of a Dissociation Following Callosotomy

^a Dartmouth College
^b New York University

A fundamental problem in form perception is how the visual system can link together spatially separated contour fragments to form the percept of a unitary shape. Illusory contours and amodal completion are two phenomena that demonstrate this linking process. In the present study we investigate these phenomena in the divided hemispheres of two callosotomy ("split-brain") patients. The data suggest that dissociable neural mechanisms are responsible for the generation of illusory contours and amodal completion. Although both cerebral hemispheres appear to be equally capable of perceiving illusory contours, amodal completion is more readily utilized by the right hemisphere. These results suggest that illusory contours may be attributable to low-level visual processes common to both hemispheres, whereas amodal completion reflects a higher-level, lateralized process.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. M. Murray, D. M. Foxe, D. C. Javitt, and J. J. Foxe Setting Boundaries: Brain Dynamics of Modal and Amodal Illusory Shape Completion in Humans J. Neurosci., August 4, 2004; 24(31): 6898 - 6903. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. M. Murray, G. R. Wylie, B. A. Higgins, D. C. Javitt, C. E. Schroeder, and J. J. Foxe The Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Illusory Contour Processing: Combined High-Density Electrical Mapping, Source Analysis, and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging J. Neurosci., June 15, 2002; 22(12): 5055 - 5073. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]