Representation of Stereoscopic Depth Based on Relative Disparity in Macaque Area V4

2007 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 241-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazumasa Umeda ◽  
Seiji Tanabe ◽  
Ichiro Fujita
Keyword(s):  
Stereoscopic Vision ◽  
Stereoscopic Depth ◽  
Common Mechanism ◽  
Tuning Curves ◽  
Area V4 ◽  
Neural Representations ◽  
Area V2 ◽  
Random Dot Stereogram ◽  
V4 Neurons ◽  
Background Feature

Stereoscopic vision is characterized by greater visual acuity when a background feature serves as a reference. When a reference is present, the perceived depth of an object is predominantly dependent on this reference. Neural representations of stereoscopic depth are expected to have a relative frame of reference. The conversion of absolute disparity encoded in area V1 to relative disparity begins in area V2, although the information encoded in this area appears to be insufficient for stereopsis. This study examines whether relative disparity is encoded in a higher cortical area. We recorded the responses of V4 neurons from macaque monkeys to various combinations of the absolute disparities of two features: the center patch and surrounding annulus of a dynamic random-dot stereogram. We analyzed the effects of the disparity of the surrounding annulus on the tuning for the disparity of the center patch; the tuning curves of relative-disparity–selective neurons for disparities of the center patch should shift with changes in the disparity of the surrounding annulus. Most V4 tuning curves exhibited significant shifts. The magnitudes of the shifts were larger than those reported for V2 neurons and smaller than that expected for an ideal relative-disparity–selective cell. No correlation was found between the shift magnitude and the degree of size suppression, suggesting that the two phenomena are not the result of a common mechanism. Our results suggest that the coding of relative disparity advances as information flows along the cortical pathway that includes areas V2 and V4.

Disparity-Tuning Characteristics of Neuronal Responses to Dynamic Random-Dot Stereograms in Macaque Visual Area V4

2005 ◽  
Vol 94 (4) ◽  
pp. 2683-2699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seiji Tanabe ◽  
Takahiro Doi ◽  
Kazumasa Umeda ◽  
Ichiro Fujita
Keyword(s):  
Striate Cortex ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Stereoscopic Depth ◽  
Tuning Curves ◽  
Gabor Function ◽  
Area V4 ◽  
Random Dot Stereograms ◽  
Response Preferences ◽  
V4 Neurons

Stereo processing begins in the striate cortex and involves several extrastriate visual areas. We quantitatively analyzed the disparity-tuning characteristics of neurons in area V4 of awake, fixating monkeys. Approximately half of the analyzed V4 cells were tuned for horizontal binocular disparities embedded in dynamic random-dot stereograms (RDSs). Their response preferences were strongly biased for crossed disparities. To characterize the disparity-tuning profile, we fitted a Gabor function to the disparity-tuning data. The distribution of V4 cells showed a single dense cluster in a joint parameter space of the center and the phase parameters of the fitted Gabor function; most V4 neurons were maximally sensitive to fine stereoscopic depth increments near zero disparity. Comparing single-cell responses with background multiunit responses at the same sites showed that disparity-sensitive cells were clustered within V4 and that nearby cells possessed similar preferred disparities. Consistent with a recent report by Hegdé and Van Essen, the disparity tuning for an RDS drastically differed from that for a solid-figure stereogram (SFS). Disparity-tuning curves were generally broader for SFSs than for RDSs, and there was no correlation between the fitted Gabor functions' amplitudes, widths, or peaks for the two types of stereograms. The differences were partially attributable to shifts in the monocular images of an SFS. Our results suggest that the representation of stereoscopic depth in V4 is suited for detecting fine structural features protruding from a background. The representation is not generic and differs when the stimulus is broad-band noise or a solid figure.

Spatial Frequency Integration for Binocular Correspondence in Macaque Area V4

2008 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 402-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hironori Kumano ◽  
Seiji Tanabe ◽  
Ichiro Fujita
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Frequency ◽  
Binocular Disparity ◽  
Frequency Tuning ◽  
Sine Wave ◽  
Stereoscopic Depth ◽  
Extrastriate Cortex ◽  
Area V4 ◽  
Spatial Frequency Tuning ◽  
Random Dot Stereogram ◽  
V4 Neurons

Neurons in the primary visual cortex (V1) detect binocular disparity by computing the local disparity energy of stereo images. The representation of binocular disparity in V1 contradicts the global correspondence when the image is binocularly anticorrelated. To solve the stereo correspondence problem, this rudimentary representation of stereoscopic depth needs to be further processed in the extrastriate cortex. Integrating signals over multiple spatial frequency channels is one possible mechanism supported by theoretical and psychophysical studies. We examined selectivities of single V4 neurons for both binocular disparity and spatial frequency in two awake, fixating monkeys. Disparity tuning was examined with a binocularly correlated random-dot stereogram (RDS) as well as its anticorrelated counterpart, whereas spatial frequency tuning was examined with a sine wave grating or a narrowband noise. Neurons with broader spatial frequency tuning exhibited more attenuated disparity tuning for the anticorrelated RDS. Additional rectification at the output of the energy model does not likely account for this attenuation because the degree of attenuation does not differ among the various types of disparity-tuned neurons. The results suggest that disparity energy signals are integrated across spatial frequency channels for generating a representation of stereoscopic depth in V4.

scholarly journals Pooled, but not single-neuron, responses in macaque V4 represent a solution to the stereo correspondence problem

2016 ◽  
Vol 115 (4) ◽  
pp. 1917-1931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Abdolrahmani (ﻣﺤﻤﺪ ﻋﺒﺪاﻟﺮﺣﻤﻨﯽ) ◽  
Takahiro Doi (土井隆弘) ◽  
Hiroshi M. Shiozaki (塩崎博史) ◽  
Ichiro Fujita (藤田一郎)
Keyword(s):  
Single Neuron ◽  
Temporal Cortex ◽  
Inferior Temporal Cortex ◽  
Correspondence Problem ◽  
Tuning Curves ◽  
Area V4 ◽  
Random Dot Stereograms ◽  
Left And Right ◽  
V4 Neurons ◽  
Psychophysical Studies

Binocular disparity is an important cue for depth perception. To correctly represent disparity, neurons must find corresponding visual features between the left- and right-eye images. The visual pathway ascending from V1 to inferior temporal cortex solves the correspondence problem. An intermediate area, V4, has been proposed to be a critical stage in the correspondence process. However, the distinction between V1 and V4 is unclear, because accumulating evidence suggests that the process begins within V1. In this article, we report that the pooled responses in macaque V4, but not responses of individual neurons, represent a solution to the correspondence problem. We recorded single-unit responses of V4 neurons to random-dot stereograms of varying degrees of anticorrelation. To achieve gradual anticorrelation, we reversed the contrast of an increasing proportion of dots as in our previous psychophysical studies, which predicted that the neural correlates of the solution to correspondence problem should gradually eliminate their disparity modulation as the level of anticorrelation increases. Inconsistent with this prediction, the tuning amplitudes of individual V4 neurons quickly decreased to a nonzero baseline with small anticorrelation. By contrast, the shapes of individual tuning curves changed more gradually so that the amplitude of population-pooled responses gradually decreased toward zero over the entire range of graded anticorrelation. We explain these results by combining multiple energy-model subunits. From a comparison with the population-pooled responses in V1, we suggest that disparity representation in V4 is distinctly advanced from that in V1. Population readout of V4 responses provides disparity information consistent with the correspondence solution.

Disparity-Selective Neurons in Area V4 of Macaque Monkeys

2002 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 1960-1973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masayuki Watanabe ◽  
Hiroki Tanaka ◽  
Takanori Uka ◽  
Ichiro Fujita
Keyword(s):  
Receptive Field ◽  
Binocular Disparity ◽  
Temporal Cortex ◽  
Intermediate Stage ◽  
Visual Pathway ◽  
Inferior Temporal Cortex ◽  
Tuning Curves ◽  
Area V4 ◽  
Ventral Visual Pathway ◽  
V4 Neurons

Area V4 is an intermediate stage of the ventral visual pathway providing major input to the final stages in the inferior temporal cortex (IT). This pathway is involved in the processing of shape, color, and texture. IT neurons are also sensitive to horizontal binocular disparity, suggesting that binocular disparity is processed along the ventral visual pathway. In the present study, we examined the processing of binocular disparity information by V4 neurons. We recorded responses of V4 neurons to binocularly disparate stimuli. A population of V4 neurons modified their responses according to changes of stimulus disparity; neither monocular responses nor eye movements could account for this modulation. Disparity-tuning curves were similar for different locations within a neuron's receptive field. Neighboring neurons recorded using a single electrode displayed similar disparity-tuning properties. These findings indicate that a population of V4 neurons is selective for binocular disparity, invariant for the position of the stimulus within the receptive field. The finding that V4 neurons with similar disparity selectivity are clustered suggests the existence of functional modules for disparity processing in V4.

Differential Temporal Storage Capacity in the Baseline Activity of Neurons in Macaque Frontal Eye Field and Area V4

2010 ◽  
Vol 103 (5) ◽  
pp. 2433-2445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tadashi Ogawa ◽  
Hidehiko Komatsu
Keyword(s):  
Neuronal Activity ◽  
Storage Capacity ◽  
Discharge Rate ◽  
Time Lag ◽  
Temporal Correlation ◽  
Frontal Eye Field ◽  
Area V4 ◽  
Baseline Activity ◽  
Eye Field ◽  
V4 Neurons

Previous studies have suggested that spontaneous fluctuations in neuronal activity reflect intrinsic functional brain architecture. Inspired by these findings, we analyzed baseline neuronal activity in the monkey frontal eye field (FEF; a visuomotor area) and area V4 (a visual area) during the fixation period of a cognitive behavioral task in the absence of any task-specific stimuli or behaviors. Specifically, we examined the temporal storage capacity of the instantaneous discharge rate in FEF and V4 neurons by calculating the correlation of the spike count in a bin with that in another bin during the baseline activity of a trial. We found that most FEF neurons fired significantly more (or less) in one bin if they fired more (or less) in another bin within a trial, even when these two time bins were separated by hundreds of milliseconds. By contrast, similar long time-lag correlations were observed in only a small fraction of V4 neurons, indicating that temporal correlations were considerably stronger in FEF compared with those in V4 neurons. Additional analyses revealed that the findings were not attributable to other task-related variables or ongoing behavioral performance, suggesting that the differences in temporal correlation strength reflect differences in intrinsic structural and functional architecture between visual and visuomotor areas. Thus FEF neurons probably play a greater role than V4 neurons in neural circuits responsible for temporal storage in activity.

Temporal Integration of Alternately Exposed Monocular Images of a Random-Dot Stereogram

Perception ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 26 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 312-312
Author(s):  
W Pieper
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Integration ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Stereoscopic Vision ◽  
Binocular Fusion ◽  
Cortical Cells ◽  
Fixation Mark ◽  
Interpupillary Distance ◽  
Frequency Threshold ◽  
Random Dot Stereogram ◽  
The Right

J R Ewald and O Gross (1906 Pflügers ArchivCXV 514 – 521) reported that monocular half-images presented alternately can be fused to a stereoscopic percept. The situation is like looking through a fence close to the eyes, with picket and gap widths being identical to the interpupillary distance. Though vision is monocular, an observer moving fast enough parallel to the fence will have stereoscopic vision of the scenery behind it. Little is known about the limits of this integrating mechanism. In two experiments, LCD shutter glasses were used to control the viewing conditions of the anaglyphs of a random-dot stereogram. Binocular fusion was supported by a visible binocular fixation mark and a frame around the display. Subjects were eight male and three female students with normal stereoscopic acuity. They were instructed to press a key as long as they could perceive a global figure portrayed in the stereogram (25 min arc disparity). In experiment 1, monocular exposures to the right and the left eye followed each other without pauses. Psychophysical procedures were used to determine the frequency threshold for stereopsis. A breakdown frequency of 2.5 Hz was found, for descending as well as ascending series. Transferred to the concrete example of a fence, the result corresponds to a pace of 0.32 m s−1, with an interocular distance and a fence measure of 63 mm. In experiment 2, alternating monocular exposures of 100 ms duration were separated by variable pauses. Stereopsis disappeared with 8 ms pauses (ascending), and 17 ms pauses (descending). Results may be attributed to integrating mechanisms of binocular cortical cells, rather than to retinal processes (afterimages).

scholarly journals Changes in the Response Rate and Response Variability of Area V4 Neurons During the Preparation of Saccadic Eye Movements

2010 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 1171-1178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas A. Steinmetz ◽  
Tirin Moore
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movements ◽  
Reaction Time ◽  
Firing Rate ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Saccadic Eye Movements ◽  
Response Variability ◽  
Area V4 ◽  
The Mean ◽  
V4 Neurons ◽  
Saccade Preparation

The visually driven responses of macaque area V4 neurons are modulated during the preparation of saccadic eye movements, but the relationship between presaccadic modulation in area V4 and saccade preparation is poorly understood. Recent neurophysiological studies suggest that the variability across trials of spiking responses provides a more reliable signature of motor preparation than mean firing rate across trials. We compared the dynamics of the response rate and the variability in the rate across trials for area V4 neurons during the preparation of visually guided saccades. As in previous reports, we found that the mean firing rate of V4 neurons was enhanced when saccades were prepared to stimuli within a neuron's receptive field (RF) in comparison with saccades to a non-RF location. Further, we found robust decreases in response variability prior to saccades and found that these decreases predicted saccadic reaction times for saccades both to RF and non-RF stimuli. Importantly, response variability predicted reaction time whether or not there were any accompanying changes in mean firing rate. In addition to predicting saccade direction, the mean firing rate could also predict reaction time, but only for saccades directed to the RF stimuli. These results demonstrate that response variability of area V4 neurons, like mean response rate, provides a signature of saccade preparation. However, the two signatures reflect complementary aspects of that preparation.

Quantitative Characterization of Disparity Tuning in Ventral Pathway Area V4

2005 ◽  
Vol 94 (4) ◽  
pp. 2726-2737 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Hinkle ◽  
Charles E. Connor
Keyword(s):  
Binocular Disparity ◽  
Orientation Tuning ◽  
Quantitative Characterization ◽  
Object Processing ◽  
Gaussian Functions ◽  
Area V4 ◽  
Ventral Pathway ◽  
Object Parts ◽  
V4 Neurons

We performed a quantitative characterization of binocular disparity-tuning functions in the ventral (object-processing) pathway of the macaque visual cortex. We measured responses of 452 area V4 neurons to stimuli with disparities ranging from −1.0 to +1.0°. Asymmetric Gaussian functions fit the raw data best (median R = 0.90), capturing both the modal components (local peaks in the −1.0 to +1.0° range) and the monotonic components (linear or sigmoidal dependency on disparity) of the tuning patterns. Values derived from the asymmetric Gaussian fits were used to characterize neurons on a modal × monotonic tuning domain. Points along the modal tuning axis correspond to classic tuned excitatory and inhibitory patterns; points along the monotonic axis correspond to classic near and far patterns. The distribution on this domain was continuous, with the majority of neurons exhibiting a mixed modal/monotonic tuning pattern. The distribution in the modal dimension was shifted toward excitatory patterns, consistent with previous results in other areas. The distribution in the monotonic dimension was shifted toward tuning for crossed disparities (corresponding to stimuli nearer than the fixation plane). This could reflect a perceptual emphasis on objects or object parts closer to the observer. We also found that disparity-tuning strength was positively correlated with orientation-tuning strength and color-tuning strength, and negatively correlated with receptive field eccentricity.

scholarly journals The EEG Activity during Binocular Depth Perception of 2D Images

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marsel Fazlyyyakhmatov ◽  
Nataly Zwezdochkina ◽  
Vladimir Antipov
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Cortical Activity ◽  
Stereoscopic Vision ◽  
Image Perception ◽  
Brain Functions ◽  
Before And After ◽  
False Image ◽  
Random Dot Stereogram ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Band Activity

The central brain functions underlying a stereoscopic vision were a subject of numerous studies investigating the cortical activity during binocular perception of depth. However, the stereo vision is less explored as a function promoting the cognitive processes of the brain. In this work, we investigated a cortical activity during the cognitive task consisting of binocular viewing of a false image which is observed when the eyes are refocused out of the random-dot stereogram plane (3D phenomenon). The power of cortical activity before and after the onset of the false image perception was assessed using the scull EEG recording. We found that during stereo perception of the false image the power of alpha-band activity decreased in the left parietal area and bilaterally in frontal areas of the cortex, while activity in beta-1, beta-2, and delta frequency bands remained to be unchanged. We assume that this suppression of alpha rhythm is presumably associated with increased attention necessary for refocusing the eyes at the plane of the false image.

scholarly journals Stimulus Dependence of Disparity Coding in Primate Visual Area V4

2005 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 620-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay Hegdé ◽  
David C. Van Essen
Keyword(s):  
Binocular Disparity ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Visual Area ◽  
Tuning Curves ◽  
Depth Cues ◽  
Area V4 ◽  
Random Dot Stereograms ◽  
Dimensional Shape ◽  
Visual Area V4 ◽  
Three Dimensional Shape

Disparity tuning in visual cortex has been shown using a variety of stimulus types that contain stereoscopic depth cues. It is not known whether different stimuli yield similar disparity tuning curves. We studied whether cells in visual area V4 of the macaque show similar disparity tuning profiles when the same set of disparity values were tested using bars or dynamic random dot stereograms, which are among the most commonly used stimuli for this purpose. In a majority of V4 cells (61%), the shape of the disparity tuning profile differed significantly for the two stimulus types. The two sets of stimuli yielded statistically indistinguishable disparity tuning profiles for only a small minority (6%) of V4 cells. These results indicate that disparity tuning in V4 is stimulus-dependent. Given the fact that bar stimuli contain two-dimensional (2-D) shape cues, and the random dot stereograms do not, our results also indicate that V4 cells represent 2-D shape and binocular disparity in an interdependent fashion, revealing an unexpected complexity in the analysis of depth and three-dimensional shape.

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