UPDATE: Groundbreaking research reveals that the superior colliculus, a primitive brain region, can independently interpret visual information, upending long-held beliefs about how we see. This discovery, published in PLOS Biology on November 8, 2025, shows that this ancient brain structure plays a crucial role in how we perceive and react to our surroundings.
The findings have immediate implications for understanding the brain’s visual processing capabilities. Traditionally, it was believed that only the cortex handled complex visual tasks. However, this study confirms that the superior colliculus, which has been around for over 500 million years, is also responsible for essential visual computations, such as differentiating objects from their backgrounds and identifying critical visual cues.
Researchers at the Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche, led by Andreas Kardamakis, found that this ancient system can autonomously produce vital visual processes. “For decades, it was thought that these computations were exclusive to the visual cortex,” Kardamakis stated. “Now we know that the ability to analyze what we see and decide what deserves our attention is a mechanism that appeared more than half a billion years ago.”
The superior colliculus acts like a built-in radar for visual stimuli. It receives direct signals from the retina and quickly prioritizes which parts of the visual scene are most important. When something moves or suddenly appears, this structure reacts first, directing our gaze toward the new stimulus.
To unveil this process, the research team employed advanced techniques, including patterned optogenetics and computational modeling. By activating specific retinal pathways in mouse brain slices, they demonstrated that the superior colliculus can suppress central visual signals when surrounding areas become active, a key feature of center-surround processing.
“This shows that the ability to select or prioritize visual information is embedded in the oldest subcortical circuits of the brain,” emphasized Kuisong Song, co-first author of the study. The implications of this discovery extend to understanding disorders such as attention deficit and sensory hypersensitivity, which may stem from imbalances between cortical communication and these ancient circuits.
The study represents a significant collaboration among institutions, including the Karolinska Institutet, KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The research team is now expanding their work to live animal models to further explore how the superior colliculus influences attention during goal-directed behavior.
This research not only broadens our understanding of visual processing but also highlights the evolutionary significance of these ancient brain structures. “Evolution built upon these systems rather than replacing them,” Kardamakis explained. “We still rely on the same basic hardware to decide where to look and what to ignore.”
As scientists work to decipher how visual distractions affect our actions, this study sheds light on the neurological basis of attention in an age of constant visual overload. The findings could pave the way for new treatments for cognitive disorders linked to visual processing.
Expect more developments from this research in the coming months as the team delves deeper into the intricate workings of the brain’s visual systems. Share this urgent update to keep your network informed about how our understanding of the brain’s evolutionary roots continues to evolve.
