The DOI matches its Crossref record; 23 of the 23 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
The Contribution of Noise to Contrast Invariance of Orientation Tuning in Cat Visual Cortex
Abstract
Feedforward models of visual cortex appear to be inconsistent with a well-known property of cortical cells: contrast invariance of orientation tuning. The models' fixed threshold broadens orientation tuning as contrast increases, whereas in real cells tuning width is invariant with contrast. We have compared the orientation tuning of spike and membrane potential responses in single cells. Both are contrast invariant, yet a threshold-linear relation applied to the membrane potential accurately predicts the orientation tuning of spike responses. The key to this apparent paradox lies in the noisiness of the membrane potential. Responses that are subthreshold on average are still capable of generating spikes on individual trials. Unlike the iceberg effect, contrast invariance remains intact even as threshold narrows orientation selectivity. Noise may, by extension, smooth the average relation between membrane potential and spike rate throughout the brain.
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“Neurons in many cortical and subcortical brain areas exhibit robust gain modulation that may contribute to multiple cognitive functions, including attention, learning, sensory processing and multimodal integration1–3,7,8,13–17.”
From Mechanisms underlying gain modulation in the cortex (2020) · cites this paper as [13]
In the citing paper
“These fluctuations may contribute to contrast-invariant tuning in neurons of the visual cortex of cats and rodents10,13,63,64.”
From Mechanisms underlying gain modulation in the cortex (2020) · cites this paper as [13]
In the citing paper
“Synaptically driven fluctuations in the Vm smooth the transformation from Vm depolarization to spike output, creating a power-law relationship between the mean Vm and the mean firing rate13,63.”
From Mechanisms underlying gain modulation in the cortex (2020) · cites this paper as [13]
In the citing paper
“Similarly, background synaptic noise that is uncorrelated with ongoing visual stimulation contributes to maintaining stable orientation tuning in visual cortex neurons across varying levels of visual contrast13.”
From Mechanisms underlying gain modulation in the cortex (2020) · cites this paper as [13]
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Metadata
- Authors
- Anderson, J. S., Lampl, I., Gillespie, D. C., & Ferster, D.
- Affiliations
- Northwestern University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Ferster, David
- Venue
- Science
- Published
- 2000-12-08
- Volume
- 290
- Issue
- 5498
- Pages
- 1968-1972
- ISSN
- 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
- 1095-9203
- OpenAlex
- W2028546686
- Cited by
- 422
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 18 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 19
- FWCI
- 10.35
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Eye Institute (R01 EY-04726, R01EY004726)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Visual perception and processing mechanisms
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Keywords
- contrast invariance, orientation tuning, visual cortex, noise, membrane potential, spike responses, feedforward models, cats, orientation selectivity, subthreshold responses
- MeSH terms
- Action Potentials, Animals, Cats, Membrane Potentials, Microelectrodes, Models, Neurological, Nerve Net, Neurons, Orientation, Photic Stimulation, Visual Cortex, Visual Perception, Contrast Sensitivity, Patch-Clamp Techniques
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