Impact of visual clutter on brain's information processing

Image credit: sincerelymedia via Unsplash

In a new study published in the journal Neuron, Yale researchers demonstrate how visual clutter can significantly impact the way our brains process information. When faced with cluttered visuals, the brain's ability to focus and interpret relevant information is compromised. These findings enhance our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying perception and provide insights into the visual cortex’s role. The upcoming phase of this research will explore how the brain employs attention mechanisms to filter and amplify visual information in crowded environments, enabling perception beyond the immediate focus.

Source

Xu, X., Morton, M. P., Denagamage, S., Hudson, N. V., Nandy, A. S., & Jadi, M. P. (2024). Spatial context non-uniformly modulates inter-laminar information flow in the primary visual cortex. Neuron, S0896-6273(24)00693-7. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2024.09.021

Additional Reading

https://news.yale.edu/2024/10/22/visual-clutter-alters-information-flow-brain

https://www.verywellmind.com/how-mental-health-and-cleaning-are-connected-5097496

https://www.verywellmind.com/decluttering-our-house-to-cleanse-our-minds-5101511