Causal evidence for the higher-order origin of serial dependence suggests a multi-area account

Abstract

There has been recent interest in whether serial dependence, a temporal bias in working memory and perception, is generated by higher-order cognitive or sensory areas. Based on the literature suggesting prefrontal areas combined with a recent article by de Azevedo Neto and Bartels (de Azevedo Neto RM, Bartels A. J Neurosci 41: 9392-9402, 2021), providing causal evidence for serial dependence relying on premotor cortex but not on the visual area hV5/MT+, I here argue for a higher-order and multiarea origin of serial dependence.

Keywords: activity-silent mechanisms; multi-area interactions; premotor cortex; serial dependence; transcranial magnetic stimulation.