title: The functional geometry of local and horizontal connections in a model of V1.
abstract: A mathematical model of interacting hypercolumns in primary visual cortex (V1) is presented that incorporates details concerning the geometry of local and long-range horizontal connections. Each hypercolumn is modeled as a network of interacting excitatory and inhibitory neural populations with orientation and spatial frequency preferences organized around a pair of pinwheels. The pinwheels are arranged on a planar lattice, reflecting the crystalline-like structure of cortex. Local interactions within a hypercolumn generate orientation and spatial frequency tuning curves, which are modulated by horizontal connections between different hypercolumns on the lattice. The symmetry properties of the local and long-range connections play an important role in determining the types of spontaneous activity patterns that can arise in cortex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA. bressloff@math.utah.edu
authors.forename: Paul C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Bressloff
authors.forename: Jack D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Cowan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008433:Mathematics; D016571:Neural Networks, Computer; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000502:physiology*