scholarly journals Analysis of visual processing capabilities and neural coding strategies of a detailed model for laminar cortical microcircuits in mouse V1

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guozhang Chen ◽  
Franz Scherr ◽  
Wolfgang Maass
Keyword(s):  
Visual Processing ◽  
Neural Coding ◽  
Noise Model ◽  
Projection Neurons ◽  
Detailed Model ◽  
Power Law Decay ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Cortical Microcircuits ◽  
Explained Variance ◽  
Spatial Locations

AbstractThe neocortex is a network of rather stereotypical cortical microcircuits that share an exquisite genetically encoded architecture: Neurons of a fairly large number of different types are distributed over several layers (laminae), with specific probabilities of synaptic connections that depend on the neuron types involved and their spatial locations. Most available knowledge about this structure has been compiled into a detailed model [Billeh et al., 2020] for a generic cortical microcircuit in the primary visual cortex, consisting of 51,978 neurons of 111 different types. We add a noise model to the network that is based on experimental data, and analyze the results of network computations that can be extracted by projection neurons on layer 5. We show that the resulting model acquires through alignment of its synaptic weights via gradient descent training the capability to carry out a number of demanding visual processing tasks. Furthermore, this weight-alignment induces specific neural coding features in the microcircuit model that match those found in the living brain: High dimensional neural codes with an arguably close to optimal power-law decay of explained variance of PCA components, specific relations between signal- and noise-coding dimensions, and network dynamics in a critical regime. Hence these important features of neural coding and dynamics of cortical microcircuits in the brain are likely to emerge from aspects of their genetically encoded architecture that are captured by this data-based model in combination with learning processes. In addition, the model throws new light on the relation between visual processing capabilities and details of neural coding.

scholarly journals Neural coding of action planning: visual processing or visual memory?

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. 23
Author(s):  
Simona Monaco ◽  
Elisa Pellencin ◽  
Malfatti Giulia ◽  
Turella Luca
Keyword(s):  
Visual Processing ◽  
Neural Coding ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Action Planning

Thematic object pairs produce stronger and faster perceptual grouping than taxonomic pairs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Nah ◽  
Joy Geng
Keyword(s):  
Visual Processing ◽  
Perceptual Grouping ◽  
Semantic Information ◽  
Semantic Knowledge ◽  
Perceptual Unit ◽  
Critical Difference ◽  
Common Event ◽  
Taxonomic Relationships ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Fundamental Units

While objects are fundamental units of vision that convey meaning, how different types of semantic knowledge affect perception is not fully understood. In contrast, the concept literature divides semantic information into taxonomic and thematic types. Taxonomic relationships reflect categorization by similarities (e.g., dog – wolf); thematic groups are based on complementary relationships shared within a common event (e.g., swimsuit – goggles; pool). A critical difference between these two information types is that thematic relationships are learned from the experienced co-occurrence of objects whereas taxonomic relationships are learned abstractly. In two studies, we test the hypothesis that visual processing of thematically related objects is more rapid because they serve as mutual visual primes and form a perceptual unit. The results demonstrate that learned co-occurrence not only shapes semantic knowledge, but also affects low level visual processing, revealing a link between how information is acquired (e.g., experienced vs. unobserved) and how it modulates perception.

scholarly journals Kinematics of unconstrained tactile texture exploration

2015 ◽  
Vol 113 (7) ◽  
pp. 3013-3020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thierri Callier ◽  
Hannes P. Saal ◽  
Elizabeth C. Davis-Berg ◽  
Sliman J. Bensmaia
Keyword(s):  
Neural Coding ◽  
Scanning Speed ◽  
Perceptual Task ◽  
Textured Surfaces ◽  
Cutaneous Mechanoreceptors ◽  
Texture Information ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Exploratory Movements

A hallmark of tactile texture exploration is that it involves movement between skin and surface. When we scan a surface, small texture-specific vibrations are produced in the skin, and specialized cutaneous mechanoreceptors convert these vibrations into highly repeatable, precise, and informative temporal spiking patterns in tactile afferents. Both texture-elicited vibrations and afferent responses are highly dependent on exploratory kinematics, however; indeed, these dilate or contract systematically with decreases or increases in scanning speed, respectively. These profound changes in the peripheral response that accompany changes in scanning speed and other parameters of texture scanning raise the question as to whether exploratory behaviors change depending on what surface is explored or what information is sought about that surface. To address this question, we measure and analyze the kinematics as subjects explore textured surfaces to evaluate different types of texture information, namely the textures' roughness, hardness, and slipperiness. We find that the exploratory movements are dependent both on the perceptual task, as has been previously shown, but also on the texture that is scanned. We discuss the implications of our findings regarding the neural coding and perception of texture.

scholarly journals Oscillatory neurocomputing with ring attractors: a network architecture for mapping locations in space onto patterns of neural synchrony

2014 ◽  
Vol 369 (1635) ◽  
pp. 20120526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugh T. Blair ◽  
Allan Wu ◽  
Jason Cong
Keyword(s):  
Network Architecture ◽  
Neural Coding ◽  
Storage Capacity ◽  
Neural Synchrony ◽  
Neural Firing ◽  
Population Code ◽  
Neural Oscillators ◽  
Reciprocal Connections ◽  
High Storage Capacity ◽  
Spatial Locations

Theories of neural coding seek to explain how states of the world are mapped onto states of the brain. Here, we compare how an animal's location in space can be encoded by two different kinds of brain states: population vectors stored by patterns of neural firing rates, versus synchronization vectors stored by patterns of synchrony among neural oscillators. It has previously been shown that a population code stored by spatially tuned ‘grid cells’ can exhibit desirable properties such as high storage capacity and strong fault tolerance; here it is shown that similar properties are attainable with a synchronization code stored by rhythmically bursting ‘theta cells’ that lack spatial tuning. Simulations of a ring attractor network composed from theta cells suggest how a synchronization code might be implemented using fewer neurons and synapses than a population code with similar storage capacity. It is conjectured that reciprocal connections between grid and theta cells might control phase noise to correct two kinds of errors that can arise in the code: path integration and teleportation errors. Based upon these analyses, it is proposed that a primary function of spatially tuned neurons might be to couple the phases of neural oscillators in a manner that allows them to encode spatial locations as patterns of neural synchrony.

scholarly journals GnRH suppresses excitability of visual processing neurons in the optic tectum

2015 ◽  
Vol 114 (5) ◽  
pp. 2775-2784 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chie Umatani ◽  
Ryosuke Misu ◽  
Shinya Oishi ◽  
Kazuhiko Yamaguchi ◽  
Hideki Abe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Optic Tectum ◽  
Visual Processing ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Optic Tract ◽  
Bk Channels ◽  
Physiological Status ◽  
Projection Neurons ◽  
Membrane Excitability ◽  
Neural Basis

Animals change their behavior in response to sensory cues in the environment as well as their physiological status. For example, it is generally accepted that their sexual behavior is modulated according to seasonal environmental changes or the individual's maturational/reproductive status, and neuropeptides have been suggested to play important roles in this process. Some behavioral modulation arises from neuropeptide modulation of sensory information processing in the central nervous system, but the neural mechanisms still remain unknown. Here we focused on the neural basis of neuropeptide modulation of visual processing in vertebrates. The terminal nerve neurons that contain gonadotropin-releasing hormone 3 (TN-GnRH3 neurons) are suggested to modulate reproductive behavior and have massive projections to the optic tectum (OT), which plays an important role in visual processing. In the present study, to examine whether GnRH3 modulates retino-tectal neurotransmission in the OT, we analyzed the effect of GnRH3 electrophysiologically and morphologically. We found that field potentials evoked by optic tract fiber stimulation, which represent retino-tectal neurotransmission, were modulated postsynaptically by GnRH3. Whole cell recording from postsynaptic neurons in the retino-tectal pathway suggested that GnRH3 activates large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels and thereby suppresses membrane excitability. Furthermore, our improved morphological analysis using fluorescently labeled GnRH peptides showed that GnRH receptors are localized mainly around the cell bodies of postsynaptic neurons. Our results indicate that TN-GnRH3 neurons modulate retino-tectal neurotransmission by suppressing the excitability of projection neurons in the OT, which underlies the neuromodulation of behaviorally relevant visual information processing by the neuropeptide GnRH3.

The Effect of Auditory Display Configuration and Physical Load on Message Intelligibility for the Dismounted Soldier

2000 ◽  
Vol 44 (22) ◽  
pp. 706-709
Author(s):  
Ellen C. Haas ◽  
Rene de Pontbriand ◽  
Robert Mello ◽  
John Patton ◽  
Alexander Solounias
Keyword(s):  
Response Time ◽  
Mental Workload ◽  
Identification Accuracy ◽  
Auditory Display ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Radio Communications ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Display Technology ◽  
Display Configuration ◽  
Spatial Locations

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which different types of audio display technology affected the ability of the physically active, load-carrying dismounted soldier to understand and respond to multiple radio communications in the battlefield. Independent variables were different types of auditory display configuration (existing monaural and spatial audio), number of simultaneous talkers in each simulated radio message (two, three, or four), and soldier rucksack load (22 kg or 33 kg). The dependent variables included the response time and number of accurate responses to the radio messages, soldier ratings of mental workload, and soldier physiological workload. Subjects were nine (9) male Marine Corps Infantry personnel and three (3) male Army Infantry personnel. Results indicated that spatial auditory displays enabled soldiers to identify a significantly greater number of simulated radio communications, and respond to these communications more quickly. Message response time increased and identification accuracy decreased as the number of simultaneous talkers increased. Rucksack weight was a predominant variable in physical and mental workload. Soldiers showed significantly greater physiological energy expenditure and significantly greater mental workload when they carried the heavier rucksack. The results indicated that whatever the load carried by the soldier, the speed and accuracy of understanding and responding to multiple radio communications were enhanced by presentation in different spatial locations.

scholarly journals Visual recognition of the female body axis drives spatial elements of male courtship in Drosophila melanogaster

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross M McKinney ◽  
Yehuda Ben-Shahar
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cues ◽  
Visual Recognition ◽  
Virgin Female ◽  
Mechanistic Explanation ◽  
Visual Object ◽  
Projection Neurons ◽  
Visual Object Recognition ◽  
Male Courtship ◽  
Courtship Behaviors ◽  
Spatial Locations

SummaryLike other mating behaviors, the courtship ritual exhibited by male Drosophila towards a virgin female is comprised of spatiotemporal sequences of innate behavioral elements. Yet, the specific stimuli and neural circuits that determine when and where males release individual courtship elements are not well understood. Here, we investigated the role of visual object recognition in the release of specific behavioral elements during bouts of male courtship. By using a computer vision and machine learning based approach for high-resolution analyses of the male courtship ritual, we show that the release of distinct behavioral elements occur at stereotyped locations around the female and depends on the ability of males to recognize visual landmarks present on the female. Specifically, we show that independent of female motion, males utilize unique populations of visual projection neurons to recognize the eyes of a target female, which is essential for the release of courtship behaviors at their appropriate spatial locations. Together, these results provide a mechanistic explanation for how relatively simple visual cues could play a role in driving both spatially- and temporally-complex social interactions.

scholarly journals Behavioral response to visual motion impacts population coding in the mouse visual thalamus

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karolina Socha ◽  
Matt Whiteway ◽  
Daniel A. Butts ◽  
Vincent Bonin
Keyword(s):  
Visual Processing ◽  
Behavioral Response ◽  
Neural Coding ◽  
Visual Motion ◽  
Population Coding ◽  
Behavioral State ◽  
Visual Thalamus ◽  
Thalamocortical Axons ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact

SummaryVisual motion is a ubiquitous component of animals’ sensory experience and its encoding is critical for navigation and movement. Yet its impact on behavior and neural coding is not well understood. Combining pupillometry with cellular calcium imaging measurements of thalamocortical axons in awake behaving mice, we examined the impact of arousal and behavioral state on encoding of visual motion in the visual thalamus. We discovered that back-to-front visual motions elicits a robust behavioral response that shapes tunings of visual thalamic responses. Consistent with an arousal mechanism, the effects were pronounced during stillness and weak or absent during locomotor activity and under anesthesia. The impact on neuronal tuning was specific, biasing population response patterns in favor of back-to-front motion. The potent influence of visual motion on behavioral state dynamically affect sensory coding at early visual processing stages. Further research is required to reveal the circuitry and function of this novel mechanism.

scholarly journals Projections of the Mouse Primary Visual Cortex

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arbora Resulaj
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cortex ◽  
Primary Visual Cortex ◽  
Visual Processing ◽  
Brain Area ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Projection Neurons ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
And Function ◽  
To Receive

Lesion or damage to the primary visual cortex (V1) results in a profound loss of visual perception in humans. Similarly, in mice, optogenetic silencing of V1 profoundly impairs discrimination of orientated gratings. V1 is thought to have such a critical role in perception in part due to its position in the visual processing hierarchy. It is the first brain area in the neocortex to receive visual input, and it distributes this information to more than 18 brain areas. Here I review recent advances in our understanding of the organization and function of the V1 projections in the mouse. This progress is in part due to new anatomical and viral techniques that allow for efficient labeling of projection neurons. In the final part of the review, I conclude by highlighting challenges and opportunities for future research.

LMC X–4: Different Types of Long-Term Variability

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (S339) ◽  
pp. 146-146
Author(s):  
S. Molkov
Keyword(s):  
Binary Systems ◽  
Noise Model ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Spin Torque ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Spin Period ◽  
Different Types ◽  
First Time

AbstractThis talk presented a summary of our study of different types of long-term variability in the high-mass X-ray binary LMC X-4, by taking advantage of more than 43 years of measurements in the X-ray domain. In particular, we investigated the 30-day cycle of modulation of the X-ray emission from the source (super-orbital or precessional variability), and refined the orbital period and its first derivative. We showed that the precession period in the time-interval 1991–2015 is near its equilibrium value of Psup = 30.370 days, while the observed historical changes in the phase of this variability can be interpreted in terms of the ‘red noise’ model. We obtained an analytical law from which the precession phase can be determined to within 5% throughout the entire time-interval under consideration. Our analysis revealed for the first time that the source is displaying near-periodic variations of its spin period, on a time-scale of roughly 6.8 years, thus making LMC X-4 one of the (few) known binary systems that show remarkable long-term spin–torque reversals.

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