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Cited by 329Visual perception and processing mechanismsFace Recognition and PerceptionAdvanced Image and Video Retrieval Techniques

Columns for Complex Visual Object Features in the Inferotemporal Cortex: Clustering of Cells with Similar but Slightly Different Stimulus Selectivities

Tanaka, K.·2003·Cerebral Cortex
DOI 10.1093/cercor/13.1.90
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Abstract

Cells in the inferotemporal cortex (area TE) selectively respond to complex visual object features and those that respond to similar features cluster in a columnar region elongated vertical to the cortical surface. What are the functional roles of the column structure in the inferotemporal cortex? Selectivity of cells within a column is similar but not identical. If we emphasize the similarity among cells within a column, we can regard the columns as units for description of object features. The variety of stimulus selectivity in a column may work as a tool to disregard subtle changes in input images when the system is directed to invariant recognition. Alternatively, if we emphasize the differences in selectivity of cells within a column, the columns can be compared to differential amplifiers, each of which represents variety within a group of features. The enormous number of objects present in nature can be efficiently described by combining outputs of the multiple differential amplifiers in the inferotemporal cortex. The two modes may work in parallel, with a graded balance changing according to the behavioral context. Determining whether or not these hypotheses are valid will require further studies.

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Crossref · 10.1093/cercor/13.1.90

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53 of 53 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The IT cortex is composed of a mosaic of neuronal patches that respond to elementary shapes, whose combination can encode arbitrary objects.

    “Furthermore, combined optical imaging and single-cell recordings suggest that the IT cortex is composed of a mosaic of neuronal patches that respond to elementary shapes, whose combination can encode arbitrary objects [39,42].”

    From The visual word form area: expertise for reading in the fusiform gyrus (2003) · cites this paper as [39]

  • Some of those primitive shapes closely resemble printed or handwritten characters, such as T junctions, a figure-of-eight, a star, and so forth.

    “Remarkably, some of those primitive shapes closely resemble printed or handwritten characters, such as T junctions, a figure-of-eight, a star, and so forth [39].”

    From The visual word form area: expertise for reading in the fusiform gyrus (2003) · cites this paper as [39]

  • IT cortex is well known for its role in invariant object recognition.

    “For example, inferotemporal (IT) cortex is well known for its role in invariant object recognition.”

    From The visual word form area: expertise for reading in the fusiform gyrus (2003) · cites this paper as [39]

  • IT neurons have vast receptive fields and respond selectively to certain objects or parts of objects across large changes in size, position and illumination.

    “IT neurons have vast receptive fields and respond selectively to certain objects or parts of objects across large changes in size, position and illumination [39,40].”

    From The visual word form area: expertise for reading in the fusiform gyrus (2003) · cites this paper as [39]

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Authors
Tanaka, K.
Affiliations
RIKEN Center for Brain Science (JP)
Corresponding author
Tanaka, K.
ORCID
Tanaka, K.
Venue
Cerebral Cortex
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2003-01-01
Volume
13
Issue
1
Pages
90-99
ISSN
  • 1047-3211 (ISSN-L)
  • 1460-2199
DOI
10.1093/cercor/13.1.90
OpenAlex
W2114009027
Cited by
329
References
53
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 46 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 19
FWCI
0.69
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Cerebral Cortex (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Visual perception and processing mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Face Recognition and Perception
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition › Advanced Image and Video Retrieval Techniques
Keywords
inferotemporal cortex, area TE, visual object recognition, columnar organization, cell clustering, stimulus selectivity, invariant recognition, differential amplifier, parallel computing, object description
MeSH terms
Animals, Evoked Potentials, Visual, Form Perception, Humans, Interneurons, Nerve Net, Pattern Recognition, Visual, Sensitivity and Specificity, Temporal Lobe, Visual Pathways, Visual Perception

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