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A model for intradendritic computation of binocular disparity

Nature Neuroscience volume 3, pages 54–63 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

Many complex cells in mammalian primary visual cortex are finely tuned to binocular disparity. In the prevailing model, several binocular simple cells drive each disparity-tuned complex cell. However, some cat complex cells receive direct LGN input, and binocular simple cells are rare in macaque. In our biophysically detailed compartmental model, active dendrites of a single neuron perform the multiple simple-cell-like subunit computations that underlie both orientation and disparity tuning. The responses of our detailed model could be predicted by a simple algebraic formula closely related to an 'energy' model. Adding inhibitory synapses led to sharper, more contrast-invariant tuning curves. Thus active dendrites could contribute to binocular-disparity tuning in complex cells.

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Figure 1: Connectivity between LGN center–surround cells and the model complex cell.
Figure 2: Interaction between synaptic inputs on two branches.
Figure 3: Response of the model cell to sinusoidal gratings.
Figure 4: Response of the cell to optimally oriented pairs of bars.
Figure 5: Binocular disparity kernels, showing the deviation of the cell's response from linearity.
Figure 6: Responses of two cells with different configurations of inhibitory synapses.
Figure 7: Mechanisms of intradendritic spiking with distal inhibition.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation. We thank Dan Ruderman for contributions to early stages of this work, and Margaret Livingstone and Gary Holt for comments.

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  1. Neuroscience Program, University of Southern California , Los Angeles, 90089-2520, California, USA

    Kevin A. Archie

  2. Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, 90089-1451, California, USA

    Bartlett W. Mel

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Correspondence to Kevin A. Archie.

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Archie, K., Mel, B. A model for intradendritic computation of binocular disparity. Nat Neurosci 3, 54–63 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/71125

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