Learning to perceive

Perceptual constancy allows us to recognize objects consistently, regardless of changes in distance or sensory input. This ability develops in infancy and is essential for understanding our environment. However, until recently, little was known about how the brain acquires this skill. A new study published in Science Advances sheds light on this process.

The Johnston Lab explored perceptual constancy using the sense of smell. They found that mice initially perceived the same odor differently depending on its concentration, indicating a lack of perceptual constancy. This variation arose from a mismatch in the sensitivity of receptor neurons in the nose, which caused signal transmission failure at higher concentrations. However, when the mice were exposed to food scented with the odor, they learned to recognize it consistently across a broad range of concentrations. This adaptation occurred because the receptor neurons adjusted their sensitivity to match the odor levels present in the environment.

This study reveals that plasticity in primary sensory organs plays a crucial role in learning perceptual constancy.