Task-Related Reinforcement Signals and Visual Plasticity

In the last decade, a consistent body of research has shown that the correct identification of task-relevant items can cause a transitory increase in human perceptual sensitivity. In the present work I report evidence of short- and long-term changes in perceptual processing triggered by the recognition of visual targets. This collection of studies suggests that targets recognition may trigger internal signals of reinforcement which, in turn, would foster cortical plasticity. Interestingly, such endogenous signals seem to be modulated by the presence of external reward and by intrinsic aspects of task performance.