Limits to visual processing: non-linearities, noise and integration

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

In any sensory system there are three fundamental stages in processing; the initial filtering, non-linear transduction and integration. Neural signals are perturbed by internal noise that limits detectability. Previous approaches have often assumed the visual system is linear and the neural noise is additive. However, it is now recognized that the human visual system has nonlinearities that also affect these measurements. Furthermore, differences in this nonlinearity can be confused with differences in internal noise level if these effects are not accounted for. These effects require a new comprehensive approach that will distinguish nonlinearities from internal noise. In this proposal I develop novel methods that will have long term applicability for understanding the functional limits of visual processing in the cortex. This will be applied in the short term to contrast processing, and to the processing of form and motion in the intermediate term.