Sparse coding models demonstrate some non-classical receptive field effects

Abstract

Non-classical receptive field (nCRF) effects include several response properties in V1 neurons not explained by a linear-nonlinear (LN) receptive field model, but instead requiring significant interactions between V1 neurons. Using a sparse coding model [1,2] and bar and grating stimuli, simulated physiology experiments were carried out that replicated several nCRF phenomena reported previously in neurophysiology experiments. These include: end-stopping [3] (Fig. ​(Fig.1),1), contrast invariance of orientation tuning [4] (Fig. ​(Fig.2),2), radius, orientation, and contrast tunings of surround suppression [5,6] (Fig. ​(Fig.3,3, ​,4,4, ​,5).5). The results suggest that a sparse coding model can explain many of the nonlinear effects in V1 cells, and is therefore a reasonable candidate for a functional model of striate cortex. Figure 1 End-stopping. Comparison with a LN model. Figure 2 Contrast invariance of orientation tuning. Figure 3 Surround suppression at different contrasts. Figure 4 Orientation tuning of surround suppression. Figure 5 Surround orientation influences contrast tuning.