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A systematic map of direction preference in primary visual cortex.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Weliky, M; Bosking, WH; Fitzpatrick, D
Published in: Nature
February 22, 1996

Neurons in the primary visual cortex respond selectively to the orientation of edges and their direction of motion. Orientation preference is mapped in a systematic fashion across the cortical surface, such that neurons in adjacent columns have similar but slightly shifted preferred orientations. Microelectrode studies have suggested that direction preference is also arranged in a systematic fashion, but exactly how this response property is mapped remains unclear. Here we show by optical imaging of intrinsic signals in ferret cortical area 17 that there is a mosaic-like map of direction preference. This map consists of numerous regions within which direction preference changes in a slow, continuous fashion. These regions are separated by winding boundaries (fractures) across which direction preference shifts abruptly, often by 180 degrees. Comparison of direction and orientation preference maps shows that these fractures subdivide iso-orientation domains into regions selective for opposite directions of motion.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Nature

DOI

ISSN

0028-0836

Publication Date

February 22, 1996

Volume

379

Issue

6567

Start / End Page

725 / 728

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Visual Cortex
  • Neurons
  • Motion Perception
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • General Science & Technology
  • Ferrets
  • Evoked Potentials, Visual
  • Brain Mapping
  • Animals
 

Citation

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MLA
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Weliky, M., Bosking, W. H., & Fitzpatrick, D. (1996). A systematic map of direction preference in primary visual cortex. Nature, 379(6567), 725–728. https://doi.org/10.1038/379725a0
Weliky, M., W. H. Bosking, and D. Fitzpatrick. “A systematic map of direction preference in primary visual cortex.Nature 379, no. 6567 (February 22, 1996): 725–28. https://doi.org/10.1038/379725a0.
Weliky M, Bosking WH, Fitzpatrick D. A systematic map of direction preference in primary visual cortex. Nature. 1996 Feb 22;379(6567):725–8.
Weliky, M., et al. “A systematic map of direction preference in primary visual cortex.Nature, vol. 379, no. 6567, Feb. 1996, pp. 725–28. Pubmed, doi:10.1038/379725a0.
Weliky M, Bosking WH, Fitzpatrick D. A systematic map of direction preference in primary visual cortex. Nature. 1996 Feb 22;379(6567):725–728.
Journal cover image

Published In

Nature

DOI

ISSN

0028-0836

Publication Date

February 22, 1996

Volume

379

Issue

6567

Start / End Page

725 / 728

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Visual Cortex
  • Neurons
  • Motion Perception
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • General Science & Technology
  • Ferrets
  • Evoked Potentials, Visual
  • Brain Mapping
  • Animals