Unveiling coding of prediction and sharpening of perceptual features through multivariate pattern analysis.

A recent study by Blank, Alink and Büchel, uses multivariate neuroimaging to investigate how the human brain processes the strength of face-related expectations and explores whether these expectations are represented in the same regions that process facial stimuli. In line with predictive coding theories, their study presents compelling evidence that the brain adjusts its processing based on the certainty of expectations. This occurs exclusively within high-level face-sensitive regions, rather than across the entire processing hierarchy. Here we critically discuss these findings and outline potential directions for future research to better understand how the human brain expects, processes, and perceives images.