Interactions between Speed and Contrast Tuning in the Middle Temporal Area: Implications for the Neural Code for Speed

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1983-06.2006
• Publication Date: 2006-08-31T00:39:46Z
• Authors: Bart Krekelberg; Richard J. A. van...; Thomas D. Albright
• Keywords: Contrast Sensitivity; Male; Neurons; 0301 basic medicine; 03 medical and health sciences; Motion Perception; Visual Perception; Animals; Humans; Macaca mulatta; Models, Biological; Temporal Lobe

A car driving through the fog appears to move more slowly than one on a clear and sunny day. In laboratory, this observation has been confirmed as pronounced reduction of perceived speed caused by in contrast. We measured influence contrast cells middle temporal area (MT) macaque, which hypothesized underlie perception speed. The responsiveness tuning these was pervasive highly regular. As expected, most responded less at low More importantly, preferred shifted lower speeds contrasts. Moreover, approximately one-third surprisingly strongly slow low-contrast stimuli high-contrast stimuli. Current models suggest that each MT cell votes for its speed, with vote determined firing rate. tested number labeled-line entering neural responses we recorded from comparing predictions perceptual reports human subjects monkeys. Contrary reports, predicted should increase when is decreased. therefore conclude not based interpretation cells.