Hierarchical interactions between sensory cortices defy predictive coding

TY - JOUR

T1 - Hierarchical interactions between sensory cortices defy predictive coding

AU - Westerberg, Jacob A

AU - Roelfsema, Pieter R

N1 - Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

PY - 2026/2/1

Y1 - 2026/2/1

N2 - Perceptual experience depends on recurrent interactions between lower and higher cortices. One theory, predictive coding, posits that feedback from higher to lower brain regions decreases neuronal activity predicted by higher-level representations. Despite the widespread adoption of predictive coding in neuroscience, the correspondence to neurophysiological findings in sensory cortices remains elusive. Here, we review how the canonical patterns of intra- and inter-cortical interactions that occur during perception and shifts of attention deviate from those predicted by predictive coding. We argue that these circuit interactions are better captured by alternative theories, which we summarize under the umbrella term BELIEF. We review how BELIEF theories account for the inter-areal interactions during attentive perception.

AB - Perceptual experience depends on recurrent interactions between lower and higher cortices. One theory, predictive coding, posits that feedback from higher to lower brain regions decreases neuronal activity predicted by higher-level representations. Despite the widespread adoption of predictive coding in neuroscience, the correspondence to neurophysiological findings in sensory cortices remains elusive. Here, we review how the canonical patterns of intra- and inter-cortical interactions that occur during perception and shifts of attention deviate from those predicted by predictive coding. We argue that these circuit interactions are better captured by alternative theories, which we summarize under the umbrella term BELIEF. We review how BELIEF theories account for the inter-areal interactions during attentive perception.

U2 - 10.1016/j.tics.2025.09.018

DO - 10.1016/j.tics.2025.09.018

M3 - Article

C2 - 41120233

SN - 1364-6613

VL - 30

SP - 110

EP - 123

JO - Trends in Cognitive Sciences

JF - Trends in Cognitive Sciences

ER -