Oblique effect in Visual area 2 of macaque monkeys

Authors

Guofu Shen, University of HoustonFollow
Xiaofeng Tao, University of HoustonFollow
Bin Zhang, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Earl L. Smith III, University of HoustonFollow
Yuzo M. Chino, University of HoustonFollow

ISSN

1534-7362

Publication Date

2-1-2014

Keywords

orientation tuning, oblique effect, radial bias, V1, V2, macaque monkeys

Abstract

The neural basis of an oblique effect, a reduced visual sensitivity for obliquely oriented stimuli, has been a matter of considerable debate. We have analyzed the orientation tuning of a relatively large number of neurons in the primary visual cortex (V1) and visual area 2 (V2) of anesthetized and paralyzed macaque monkeys. Neurons in V2 but not V1 of macaque monkeys showed clear oblique effects. This orientation anisotropy in V2 was more robust for those neurons that preferred higher spatial frequencies. We also determined whether V1 and V2 neurons exhibit a similar orientation anisotropy soon after birth. The oblique effect was absent in V1 of 4- and 8-week-old infant monkeys, but their V2 neurons showed a significant oblique effect. This orientation anisotropy in infant V2 was milder than that in adults. The results suggest that the oblique effect emerges in V2 based on the pattern of the connections that are established before birth and enhanced by the prolonged experience-dependent modifications of the neural circuitry in V2.

DOI

10.1167/14.2.3

Volume

14

Issue

2

First Page

1

Last Page

16

Disciplines

Optometry

NSUWorks Citation

Shen, Guofu; Tao, Xiaofeng; Zhang, Bin; Smith, Earl L. III; and Chino, Yuzo M., "Oblique effect in Visual area 2 of macaque monkeys" (2014). Faculty Articles. 27.
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_opt_facarticles/27