EVENT DETAILS AND ABSTRACT

Title: Modeling Pattern Formation in Primary Visual Cortex
Speaker: Dr. P. Thomas
Speaker Info: U. Chicago
Brief Description:
Special Note:
Abstract:

Stimulus response properties of cells in mammalian primary visual cortex exhibit intriguing spatial organization. Superimposed on a regular topographic map of location in visual space are stripes of ocular dominance and a quasi-regular lattice of orientation selectivity. I present a detailed synaptic model for the formation of these spatial patterns based on competitive correlation-based learning and cortico-cortical interactions of the "Mexican Hat" variety. Extracting natural order parameters from the detailed synaptic model allows analytic and computational study of pattern formation in primary visual cortex, which occurs via a Turing instability. Where similar models have treated subsets of ocular dominance, orientation and retinotopic organization, this synaptic model allows the study of all three as well as their interactions.