title: Selectivity for polar, hyperbolic, and Cartesian gratings in macaque visual cortex.
abstract: The neural basis of pattern recognition is a central problem in visual neuroscience. Responses of single cells were recorded in area V4 of macaque monkey to three classes of periodic stimuli that are based on spatial derivative operators: polar (concentric and radial), hyperbolic, and conventional sinusoidal (Cartesian) gratings. Of 118 cells tested, 16 percent responded significantly more to polar or hyperbolic (non-Cartesian) gratings than to Cartesian gratings and only 8 percent showed a significant preference for Cartesian gratings. Among cells selective for non-Cartesian gratings, those that preferred concentric gratings were most common. Cells selective for non-Cartesian gratings may constitute an important intermediate stage in pattern recognition and the representation of surface shape.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91125.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gallant
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Van Essen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004569:Electroencephalography; D008254:Macaca nemestrina; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology