Directional Anisotropies Reveal a Functional Segregation of Visual Motion Processing for Perception and Action
Open accessAbstract
Human exhibits an anisotropy in direction perception: discrimination is superior when motion is around horizontal or vertical rather than diagonal axes. In contrast to the consistent directional anisotropy in perception, we found only small idiosyncratic anisotropies in smooth pursuit eye movements, a motor action requiring accurate discrimination of visual motion direction. Both pursuit and perceptual direction discrimination rely on signals from the middle temporal visual area (MT), yet analysis of multiple measures of MT neuronal responses in the macaque failed to provide evidence of a directional anisotropy. We conclude that MT represents different motion directions uniformly, and subsequent processing creates a directional anisotropy in pathways unique to perception. Our data support the hypothesis that, at least for visual motion, perception and action are guided by inputs from separate sensory streams. The directional anisotropy of perception appears to originate after the two streams have segregated and downstream from area MT.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
The 90° separation in a 2-choice task increased difficulty slightly.
“Although this angle remains large compared to fine discriminations that humans and monkeys can make 22–24, it did increase difficulty slightly, as shown by 90° separation in a 2-choice task.”
From Decision-making with multiple alternatives (2008) · cites this paper as [24]
The experiment is not definitive about how the computation generalizes to more directions and choices, in part because the angle between alternatives is large compared to the range of angles that primates can discriminate.
“Our experiment is not definitive here, in part because the angle between alternatives is large compared to the range of angles that primates can discriminate 22–24.”
From Decision-making with multiple alternatives (2008) · cites this paper as [24]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Pattern classification and scene analysis
Duda, R. O., & Hart, P. E. (1973) · CERN Document Server (European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Cited by 12,895 · see citing works
(1966) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 10,293 · see citing works
Signal detection theory and psychophysics
Ingleby, D. (1967) · Journal of Sound and Vibration · doi:10.1016/0022-460x(67)90197-6 · Cited by 8,616 · see citing works
Distributed hierarchical processing in the primate cerebral cortex
Felleman, D. J., & Van Essen, D. C. (1991) · Cerebral Cortex · doi:10.1093/cercor/1.1.1 · Cited by 7,783 · see citing works
Separate visual pathways for perception and action
Goodale, M. A., & Milner, A. D. (1992) · Trends in Neurosciences · doi:10.1016/0166-2236(92)90344-8 · Cited by 6,519 · see citing works
Ingle, D., Goodale, M. A., & Mansfield, R. J. W. (1982) · The MIT Press eBooks · Cited by 4,118 · see citing works
Pattern classification and scene analysis
Chien, Y. P. (1974) · IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control · doi:10.1109/tac.1974.1100577 · Cited by 3,413 · see citing works
Newsome, W., & Pare, E. (1988) · The Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1523/jneurosci.08-06-02201.1988 · Cited by 1,615 · see citing works
A neurological dissociation between perceiving objects and grasping them
Goodale, M. A., Milner, A. D., Jakobson, L. S., & Carey, D. P. (1991) · Nature · doi:10.1038/349154a0 · Cited by 1,508 · see citing works
Maunsell, J. H. R., & Essen, D. C. V. (1983) · Journal of Neurophysiology · doi:10.1152/jn.1983.49.5.1127 · Cited by 1,462 · see citing works
Direction and orientation selectivity of neurons in visual area MT of the macaque
Albright, T. D. (1984) · Journal of Neurophysiology · doi:10.1152/jn.1984.52.6.1106 · Cited by 1,089 · see citing works
A relationship between behavioral choice and the visual responses of neurons in macaque MT
Britten, K. H., Newsome, W. T., Shadlen, M. N., Celebrini, S., & Movshon, J. A. (1996) · Visual Neuroscience · doi:10.1017/s095252380000715x · Cited by 1,049 · see citing works
OPTIC ATAXIA: A SPECIFIC DISRUPTION IN VISUOMOTOR MECHANISMS
Perenin, M.-T., & Vighetto, A. (1988) · Brain · doi:10.1093/brain/111.3.643 · Cited by 969 · see citing works
Cortical microstimulation influences perceptual judgements of motion direction
Salzman, C. D., Britten, K. H., & Newsome, W. T. (1990) · Nature · doi:10.1038/346174a0 · Cited by 881 · see citing works
Functional specialisation in the visual cortex of the rhesus monkey
Zeki, S. M. (1978) · Nature · doi:10.1038/274423a0 · Cited by 874 · see citing works
Reproducibility and Variability in Neural Spike Trains
van Steveninck, R. R. D. R., Lewen, G. D., Strong, S. P., Köberle, R., & Bialek, W. (1997) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.275.5307.1805 · Cited by 680 · see citing works
Newsome, W. T., Wurtz, R. H., Dürsteler, M., & Mikami, A. (1985) · Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1523/jneurosci.05-03-00825.1985 · Cited by 669 · see citing works
Microstimulation in visual area MT: effects on direction discrimination performance
Salzman, C., Murasugi, C., Britten, K., & Newsome, W. (1992) · The Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1523/jneurosci.12-06-02331.1992 · Cited by 657 · see citing works
Visual Motion Processing and Sensory-Motor Integration for Smooth Pursuit Eye Movements
Lisberger, S. G., Morris, E. J., & Tychsen, L. (1987) · Annual Review of Neuroscience · doi:10.1146/annurev.ne.10.030187.000525 · Cited by 651 · see citing works
Self-citationPERCEPTION AND ACTION IN ‘VISUAL FORM AGNOSIA’
Milner, A. D., Perrett, D. I., Johnston, R. S., BENSON, P. J., Jordan, T. R., Heeley, D. W., BETTUCCI, D., MORTARA, F., Mutani, R., Terazzi, E., et al. (1991) · Brain · doi:10.1093/brain/114.1.405 · Cited by 621 · see citing works
Komatsu, H., & Wurtz, R. H. (1988) · Journal of Neurophysiology · doi:10.1152/jn.1988.60.2.580 · Cited by 545 · see citing works
Saccadic eye movements towards stimuli triggered by prior saccades
Hallett, P. E., & Lightstone, A. D. (1976) · Vision Research · doi:10.1016/0042-6989(76)90083-3 · Cited by 474 · see citing works
Lisberger, S. G., Evinger, C. L., Johanson, G. W., & Fuchs, A. F. (1981) · Journal of Neurophysiology · doi:10.1152/jn.1981.46.2.229 · Cited by 372 · see citing works
Self-citationProperties of visual inputs that initiate horizontal smooth pursuit eye movements in monkeys
Lisberger, S. G., & Westbrook, L. E. (1985) · Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1523/jneurosci.05-06-01662.1985 · Cited by 329 · see citing works
Self-citationAction does not resist visual illusions
Franz, V. H. (2001) · Trends in Cognitive Sciences · doi:10.1016/s1364-6613(00)01772-1 · Cited by 243 · see citing works
Modulation of pursuit eye movements by stimulation of cortical areas MT and MST
Komatsu, H., & Wurtz, R. H. (1989) · Journal of Neurophysiology · doi:10.1152/jn.1989.62.1.31 · Cited by 217 · see citing works
Visual recognition impairment following medial thalamic lesions in monkeys
Aggleton, J. P., & Mishkin, M. M. (1983) · Neuropsychologia · doi:10.1016/0028-3932(83)90037-4 · Cited by 216 · see citing works
Frames of reference for allocating attention to space: Evidence from the neglect syndrome
Farah, M. J., Brunn, J. L., Wong, A. B., Wallace, M. A., & Carpenter, P. A. (1990) · Neuropsychologia · doi:10.1016/0028-3932(90)90060-2 · Cited by 193 · see citing works
When does action resist visual illusions?
Bruno, N. (2001) · Trends in Cognitive Sciences · doi:10.1016/s1364-6613(00)01725-3 · Cited by 190 · see citing works
Generation of smooth-pursuit eye movements: neuronal mechanisms and pathways
Keller, E. L., & Heinen, S. J. (1991) · Neuroscience Research · doi:10.1016/0168-0102(91)90048-4 · Cited by 187 · see citing works
Priebe, N. J., Churchland, M. M., & Lisberger, S. G. (2002) · Journal of Neurophysiology · doi:10.1152/jn.00852.2001 · Cited by 162 · see citing works
Self-citationSensitivity of smooth eye movement to small differences in target velocity
Kowler, E., & McKee, S. P. (1987) · Vision Research · doi:10.1016/0042-6989(87)90014-9 · Cited by 138 · see citing works
Models of stimulus uncertainty in motion perception.
Ball, K., & Sekuler, R. (1980) · Psychological Review · doi:10.1037//0033-295x.87.5.435 · Cited by 127 · see citing works
Morris, E. J., & Lisberger, S. G. (1987) · Journal of Neurophysiology · doi:10.1152/jn.1987.58.6.1351 · Cited by 125 · see citing works
Self-citationAnisotropies in visual motion perception: a fresh look
Gros, B. L., Blake, R., & Hiris, E. J. (1998) · Journal of the Optical Society of America A · doi:10.1364/josaa.15.002003 · Cited by 116 · see citing works
IMPAIRMENTS OF VISUAL OBJECT TRANSFORMS IN MONKEYS
Weiskrantz, L., & Saunders, R. C. (1984) · Brain · doi:10.1093/brain/107.4.1033 · Cited by 112 · see citing works
Kiorpes, L., Walton, P. J., O’Keefe, L. P., Movshon, J. A., & Lisberger, S. G. (1996) · Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1523/jneurosci.16-20-06537.1996 · Cited by 111 · see citing works
Self-citationDyde, R. T., & Milner, A. D. (2002) · Experimental Brain Research · doi:10.1007/s00221-002-1065-1 · Cited by 108 · see citing works
Models of stimulus uncertainty in motion perception.
Ball, K., & Sekuler, R. (1980) · Psychological Review · doi:10.1037/0033-295x.87.5.435 · Cited by 103 · see citing works
Human smooth pursuit direction discrimination
Watamaniuk, S. N. J., & Heinen, S. J. (1999) · Vision Research · doi:10.1016/s0042-6989(98)00128-x · Cited by 91 · see citing works
Beutter, B. R., & Stone, L. S. (1998) · Vision Research · doi:10.1016/s0042-6989(97)00276-9 · Cited by 88 · see citing works
Separate visual representations for perception and action revealed by saccadic eye movements
Burr, D. C., Morrone, M. C., & Ross, J. (2001) · Current Biology · doi:10.1016/s0960-9822(01)00183-x · Cited by 84 · see citing works
Gain Control in Human Smooth-Pursuit Eye Movements
Churchland, A. K., & Lisberger, S. G. (2002) · Journal of Neurophysiology · doi:10.1152/jn.2002.87.6.2936 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Self-citationEffects of directional expectations on motion perception and pursuit eye movements
Krauzlis, R. J., & Adler, S. A. (2001) · Visual Neuroscience · doi:10.1017/s0952523801183033 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Directional acuity for drifting plaids
Heeley, D. W., & Buchanan‐Smith, H. M. (1992) · Vision Research · doi:10.1016/0042-6989(92)90117-2 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Temporal integration of visual motion information: Evidence from response times
Huk, A. C., Palmer, J. C., & Shadlen, M. N. (2010) · Journal of Vision · doi:10.1167/2.7.228 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Decision-making with multiple alternatives
Churchland, A. K., Kiani, R., & Shadlen, M. N. (2008) · Nature Neuroscience · doi:10.1038/nn.2123 · Cited by 671 · see citing works
Self-citation
- Authors
- Churchland, A. K., Gardner, J. L., Chou, I.-H., Priebe, N. J., & Lisberger, S. G.
- Affiliations
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute (US)
- Corresponding author
- Churchland, Anne K.
- Venue
- Neuron
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2003-03
- Volume
- 37
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1001-1011
- ISSN
- 0896-6273 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2117529001
- Cited by
- 42
- References
- 46
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 1.30
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Neuron (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Institutional Repository (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Visual perception and processing mechanisms
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Motor Control and Adaptation
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Multisensory perception and integration
- Keywords
- directional anisotropy, smooth pursuit eye movements, middle temporal area, dorsal and ventral visual streams, macaque, motion perception
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Discrimination, Psychological, Eye Movements, Humans, Macaca, Motion, Neurons, Temporal Lobe, Visual Perception, Anisotropy
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
