Visual processing of informative multipoint correlations arises primarily in V2.
Using the visual system as a model, we recently showed that the efficient coding principle accounted for the allocation of computational resources in central sensory processing: when sampling an image is the main limitation, resources are devoted to compute the statistical features that are the most variable, and therefore the most informative (eLife 2014;3:e03722. DOI: 10.7554/eLife.03722 Hermundstad et al., 2014). Building on these results, we use single-unit recordings in the macaque monkey to determine where these computations--sensitivity to specific multipoint correlations--occur. We find that these computations take place in visual area V2, primarily in its supragranular layers. The demonstration that V2 neurons are sensitive to the multipoint correlations that are informative about natural images provides a common computational underpinning for diverse but well-recognized aspects of neural processing in V2, including its sensitivity to corners, junctions, illusory contours, figure/ground, and 'naturalness.'
Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, United States.
Yunguo
Y
Yu
Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, United States.
Anita M
AM
Schmid
Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, United States.
Jonathan D
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9293-0111
JD
Victor
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D000818:Animals; D001931:Brain Mapping; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D015742:Propofol; D059010:Single-Cell Analysis; D014673:Vecuronium Bromide; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*
D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents; D014673:Vecuronium Bromide; D015742:Propofol
extrastriate cortex; macaque; neuroscience; vision