Population analysis of shape representation in V4

描述（由申请人提供）：形状感知对于物体识别和视觉引导行动至关重要。形状的神经表征是由一个被统称为腹侧流的大脑区域等级系统介导的。腹侧流区域的损伤可能导致视觉失认症，严重影响生活质量。因此，理解形状表示是如何产生的是很重要的。我们将检查V4的形状的神经表征，V4是位于腹侧流层次的中间水平的大脑区域。我们的策略将是在单细胞和群体水平上构建神经生理活动和视觉输入之间关系的定量模型。我们构建这些模型的方法将通过使用先进的非线性统计技术，模拟自然观看条件的复杂视觉刺激，以及使用多电极阵列同时记录神经元群来区分。对这些模型的解释和分析将使我们能够解决两个具体问题：1)V4神经元调谐的独立刺激维度是什么？2) V4细胞群的分布活性是如何结合起来表示形状的？

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The perception of shape is essential for object identification and visually guided action. The neural represenation of shape is mediated by a hierarchical system of brain areas known collectively as the ventral stream. Damage to ventral stream areas may lead to visual agnosias that can severely compromise quality of life. It is therefore important to achieve an understanding of how shape representation is generated. We will examine the neural representation of shape in V4, a brain region that is situated at an intermediate level on the ventral stream hierarchy. Our stategy will be to construct quantitative models of the relationship between neurophysiological activity and visual input at both the single cell and population levels. Our approach to constructing these models will be distinguished by the use of advanced non-linear statistical techniques, complex visual stimuli that simulates natural viewing conditions, and the use of multi-electrode arrays to record populations of neurons simultaneously. Interpretation and analysis of these models will allow us adress two specific questions: 1) what are the independent stimulus dimensions to which V4 neurons are tuned?; 2) how is the distributed activity of V4 cell populations combined to represent shape?