Curvature domains in V4 of macaque monkey

Elife. 2020 Nov 19:9:e57261. doi: 10.7554/eLife.57261.

Abstract

An important aspect of visual object recognition is the ability to perceive object shape. Two basic components of complex shapes are straight and curved contours. A large body of evidence suggests a modular hierarchy for shape representation progressing from simple and complex orientation in early areas V1 and V2, to increasingly complex stages of curvature representation in V4, TEO, and TE. Here, we reinforce and extend the concept of modular representation. Using intrinsic signal optical imaging in Macaque area V4, we find sub-millimeter sized modules for curvature representation that are organized from low to high curvatures as well as domains with complex curvature preference. We propose a possible 'curvature hypercolumn' within V4. In combination with previous studies, we suggest that the key emergent functions at each stage of cortical processing are represented in systematic, modular maps.

Keywords: V4; curvature; hypercolumn; neuroscience; optical imaging; rhesus macaque.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Mapping*
  • Female
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Male
  • Pattern Recognition, Visual / physiology*
  • Visual Cortex / physiology
  • Visual Pathways / physiology*
  • Visual Perception / physiology*