A gain-control theory of binocular combination

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0509629103
• Publication Date: 2006-01-13T01:55:06Z
• Authors: Jian Ding; George Sperling
• Keywords: Binocular rivalry; Spatial frequency; Stimulus (psychology)

In binocular combination, light images on the two retinas are combined to form a single “cyclopean” perceptual image, in contrast rivalry which occurs when eyes have incompatible (“rivalrous”) inputs and only one eye`s stimulus is perceived. We propose computational theory for combination with basic principles of interaction: every spatial neighborhood, each eye ( i ) exerts gain control other eye's signal proportion energy its own input ii additionally control. For stimuli ordinary contrast, either stimulated alone, predicted cyclopean image same as both equally, coinciding an easily observed property natural vision. The gain-control dependent: Very low-contrast left- right-eye add linearly image. intrinsic nonlinearity manifests itself increases. To test more precisely, horizontal sine wave grating 0.68 cycles per degree presented eye. gratings differ phase. (and perceived) also wave; apparent phase indicates relative contribution 48 measured combinations estimated parameter accounts 95% variance data. Therefore, simple, robust, physiologically plausible accurately describes early stage combination.