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Spatial phase sensitivity of V1 neurons in alert monkey
Wei-Feng Xu1, Zhi-Ming Shen, Chao-Yi Li
1Institute of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institutes of Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue-Yang Road, Shanghai, 200031, China.
Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|February 11, 2005
Summary
Visual cortex neurons show sensitivity to the spatial arrangement of stimuli. Changes in the relative spatial phase (RSP) between central and surround gratings significantly impact neuronal activity, suggesting important perceptual roles.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Visual Perception
- Computational Neuroscience
Background:
- Activity in primary visual cortex (V1) neurons is modulated by stimuli beyond their classical receptive field (CRF).
- This extra-receptive field (ERF) modulation is a key aspect of visual contextual processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how relative spatial phase (RSP) between central and surround gratings influences V1 neuronal activity.
- To determine the dependence of this modulation on the strength of ERF suppression.
Main Methods:
- Recorded V1 neuronal activity in alert Macaca mulata monkeys.
- Varied the RSP between a central grating (CRF) and a surround grating (ERF).
- Assessed the impact of gaps and phase displacements on surround suppression.
Main Results:
- Most V1 neurons with suppressive ERFs exhibited RSP sensitivity.
- Sensitivity was strongly correlated with the strength of ERF suppression.
- Suppression was significantly reduced by small gaps or phase displacements (<10% CRF diameter).
Conclusions:
- V1 neurons exhibit complex contextual modulation based on RSP.
- These properties are crucial for understanding visual perception and information processing.
- Neuronal sensitivity to spatial phase may underlie perceptual scene analysis.