Responses to animated contours of neurons in visual cortex area 18 of the cat.
Given that cells in visual cortical area 18 in cats encode information of complex shapes, in addition to conventional stimuli like bars and gratings, we studied the capability of single cells in this area to 'identify' animated contours. The recorded cells were not selective to specific animated contours, whereas they were highly sensitive to the contour's degradation and to the orientation of its elements. The results indicate that cells in area 18 can encode information about many characteristics of complex animated patterns. The findings suggest the existence of a contour abstracting mechanism, which needs further study.
Bregman
T
T
Physiological Laboratory, Goldschleger Eye Reserch Institute, Tel-Aviv University Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Hashomer, Israel. bregmant@netscape.net
Yinon
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U
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D005556:Form Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D009039:Motion Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011680:Pupil / Q000187:drug effects; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*