[DSRP Evidence](https://dsrpevidence.org/)

# Neural representation of gestalt grouping and attention effect in human visual cortex

Wu et al., 2023, Journal of Neuroscience Methods — Neuroscience

Patterns: [Systems](https://dsrpevidence.org/pattern/systems)

## In short

The brain encodes grouped parts as a single unified whole.

## What they found (results)

fMRI MVPA showed proximity-grouped elements produced early-visual-cortex patterns resembling whole oriented gratings; grouping strength increased from V1 to V3 and was modulated by attention.

## What they set out to do (purpose)

To decode where and how Gestalt proximity grouping is neurally represented across early human visual areas.

## In more detail

The brain encodes separate elements as a unified whole when grouped by Gestalt proximity, showing part–whole organization is built into early perception. Purpose: To decode where and how Gestalt proximity grouping is neurally represented across early human visual areas. Finding: fMRI MVPA showed proximity-grouped elements produced early-visual-cortex patterns resembling whole oriented gratings; grouping strength increased from V1 to V3 and was modulated by attention. [Added 2026-07-30 as new evidence beyond the original 109; DSRP structural basis: S axiom (Membership): individual parts are neurally bound into a single perceptual whole; extends the existing Montoro Gestalt-grouping entry.]

These researchers were not testing DSRP. The finding is theirs; the correspondence to DSRP is drawn by this site.

[Source](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37783351/)