Spatial integration and cortical dynamics.

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.93.2.615
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T14:32:33Z
• Authors: C D Gilbert; A Das; M Ito; M Kapadia; G Westheimer
• Keywords: Retinotopy; Binocular neurons; Surround suppression

Cells in adult primary visual cortex are capable of integrating information over much larger portions the field than was originally thought. Moreover, their receptive properties can be altered by context within which local features presented and changes experience. The substrate for both spatial integration cortical plasticity is likely to found a plexus long-range horizontal connections, formed pyramidal cells, link cells each area distances 6-8 mm. relationship between connections functional architecture suggests role segmentation integration. distribution lateral interactions striate visualized with optical recording, consequences were explored using comparable stimuli human psychophysical experiments recordings from alert monkeys. They may represent perceptual phenomena such as illusory contours, surface fill-in, contour saliency. dynamic nature has been seen time scales ranging seconds months. One induce remapping topography making focal binocular retinal lesions. Shorter-term fields observed following brief periods stimulation. mechanisms involved entailed, short-term changes, altering effectiveness existing long-term sprouting axon collaterals synaptogenesis. mutability function implies continual process calibration normalization perception attributes that dependent on sensory experience throughout adulthood might further mechanism learning.