A neural model of feature attention in motion perception

Abstract

We utilize a model of motion perception to link a physiological study of feature attention in cortical motion processing to a psychophysical experiment of motion perception. We explain effects of feature attention by modulatory excitation of neural activity patterns in a framework of biased competition. Our model allows us to qualitatively replicate physiological data concerning attentional modulation and to generate model behavior in a decision experiment that is consistent with psychophysical observations. Furthermore, our investigation makes predictions for future psychophysical experiments.