A computational model of selective deficits in first and second-order motion processing

Recent neurological studies of selective impairments in first and second-order motion processing are of considerable relevance in elucidating the mechanisms of motion perception in normal human observers. We examine the stimuli which have been used to assess first and second-order motion processing capabilities in clinical subjects, and discuss the nature of the computations necessary to extract their motion. We find that a simple computational model of first and second-order motion processing is able to account for the data. The model consists of a first-order channel computing motion at coarse and fine scales, and a coarse scale second-order channel. The second-order channel is sensitive to motion information defined by variations in luminance, contrast, spatial frequency and flicker. When elements of the model are disabled, its performance on either first or second-order motion can be selectively impaired in line with the neurological data.