Orientation tuning curves: empirical description and estimation of parameters

被引:214
作者
Swindale, NV [1 ]
机构
[1] Univ British Columbia, Dept Ophthalmol, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3N9, Canada
关键词
D O I
10.1007/s004220050411
中图分类号
TP3 [计算技术、计算机技术];
学科分类号
0812 ;
摘要
This paper compares the ability of some simple model functions to describe orientation tuning curves obtained in extracellular single-unit recordings from area 17 of the cat visual cortex. It also investigates the relationships between three methods currently used to estimate preferred orientation from tuning curve data: (a) least-squares curve fitting, (b) the vector sum method and (c) the Fourier transform method (Worgotter and Eysel 1987). The results show that the best fitting model function for single-unit orientation tuning curves is a von Mises circular function with a variable degree of skewness. However, other functions, such as a wrapped Gaussian, fit the data nearly as well. A cosine function provides a poor description of tuning curves in almost all instances. It is demonstrated that the vector sum and Fourier methods of determining preferred orientation are equivalent and identical to calculating a least-square fit of a cosine function to the data. Least-squares fitting of a better model function, such as a von Mises function or a wrapped Gaussian, is therefore likely to be a better method for estimating preferred orientation. Monte-Carlo simulations confirmed this, although for broad orientation tuning curves sampled at 45 degrees intervals, as is typical in optical recording experiments, all the methods gave similarly accurate estimates of preferred orientation. The sampling interval, the estimated error in the response measurements and the probable shape of the underlying response function all need to be taken into account in deciding on the best method of estimating preferred orientation from physiological measurements of orientation tuning data.
引用
收藏
页码:45 / 56
页数:12
相关论文
共 26 条
[1]   DIRECTION AND ORIENTATION SELECTIVITY OF NEURONS IN VISUAL AREA MT OF THE MACAQUE [J].
ALBRIGHT, TD .
JOURNAL OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY, 1984, 52 (06) :1106-1130
[2]   MATHEMATICAL-MODEL OF THE SIMPLE CELLS IN THE VISUAL-CORTEX [J].
ATICK, JJ ;
REDLICH, AN .
BIOLOGICAL CYBERNETICS, 1990, 63 (02) :99-109
[3]  
Batschelet E, 1981, CIRCULAR STAT BIOL
[4]   VOLTAGE-SENSITIVE DYES REVEAL A MODULAR ORGANIZATION IN MONKEY STRIATE CORTEX [J].
BLASDEL, GG ;
SALAMA, G .
NATURE, 1986, 321 (6070) :579-585
[6]   OPTICAL IMAGING OF THE LAYOUT OF FUNCTIONAL DOMAINS IN AREA-17 AND ACROSS THE AREA-17/18 BORDER IN CAT VISUAL-CORTEX [J].
BONHOEFFER, T ;
KIM, DS ;
MALONEK, D ;
SHOHAM, D ;
GRINVALD, A .
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, 1995, 7 (09) :1973-1988
[7]   ISO-ORIENTATION DOMAINS IN CAT VISUAL-CORTEX ARE ARRANGED IN PINWHEEL-LIKE PATTERNS [J].
BONHOEFFER, T ;
GRINVALD, A .
NATURE, 1991, 353 (6343) :429-431
[8]  
Brigham E.O., 1974, FAST FOURIER TRANSFO
[9]   UNCERTAINTY RELATION FOR RESOLUTION IN SPACE, SPATIAL-FREQUENCY, AND ORIENTATION OPTIMIZED BY TWO-DIMENSIONAL VISUAL CORTICAL FILTERS [J].
DAUGMAN, JG .
JOURNAL OF THE OPTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA A-OPTICS IMAGE SCIENCE AND VISION, 1985, 2 (07) :1160-1169
[10]   THE ORIENTATION AND DIRECTION SELECTIVITY OF CELLS IN MACAQUE VISUAL-CORTEX [J].
DEVALOIS, RL ;
YUND, EW ;
HEPLER, N .
VISION RESEARCH, 1982, 22 (05) :531-544