Neural image processing by dendritic networks.
Convolution is one of the most common operations in image processing. Based on experimental findings on motion-sensitive visual interneurons of the fly, we show by realistic compartmental modeling that a dendritic network can implement this operation. In a first step, dendritic electrical coupling between two cells spatially blurs the original motion input. The blurred motion image is then passed onto a third cell via inhibitory dendritic synapses resulting in a sharpening of the signal. This enhancement of motion contrast may be the central element of figure-ground discrimination based on relative motion in the fly.
Cuntz
Hermann
H
Department of Systems and Computational Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Am Klopferspitz 18a, 82152 Martinsried, Germany. cuntz@neuro.mpg.de
Haag
Jürgen
J
Borst
Alexander
A
D000818:Animals; D003712:Dendrites / Q000502:physiology*; D001330:Electronic Data Processing