LESIONS OF PRIMATE VISUAL AREA V4 PRODUCE LONG-LASTING DEFICITS TO COLOR CONSTANCY

The effect of partial and near total lesions of visual cortical area V4 in primates was studied and the selective deficits induced were monitored over a period of several years. The lesions primarily affected colour constancy and did not affect simple hue or object discrimination. A severe relearning difficulty was found for simple hue discrimination following near total area V4 lesions, but hue discrimination thresholds were normal, whereas the colour constancy deficit remained. We conclude that area V4 contains a centre important for colour constancy.