Here, we review the role of top-down attention in both the acquisition and the expression of
perceptual learning, as well as the role of learning in more efficiently guiding attentional …

While the importance of attention in perceptual learning is widely recognized, the
mechanisms through which it affects learning are poorly understood. Here we show that …

Perceptual learning in adult humans and animals refers to improvements in sensory abilities
after training. These improvements had been thought to occur only when attention is focused …

Learning to better discriminate a specific visual feature (ie, a specific orientation in a specific
region of space) has been associated with plasticity in early visual areas (sensory …

How does the brain learn those visual features that are relevant for behavior? In this article,
we focus on two factors that guide plasticity of visual representations. First, reinforcers cause …

Practice can improve visual perception, and these improvements are considered to be a
form of brain plasticity. Training-induced learning is time-consuming and requires hundreds …

Perceptual learning is an important means for the brain to maintain its agility in a dynamic
environment. Top-down focal attention, which selects task-relevant stimuli against …

Perceptual learning is often orientation and location specific, which may indicate neuronal
plasticity in early visual areas. However, learning specificity diminishes with additional …

Amid a sea of incoming sensory stimulation, it is essential to prioritize the processing of
those few pieces of information that are most relevant to one's current behavioral goals. The …

Virtually all behavioral and neurophysiological studies have shown that sustained
(endogenous, conceptually driven) attention enhances perception. But can this …