Electorophysiological studies on how MST cells contribute to 3-dimensional space perception

Hide-aki Saito

This study aims to understand how and by what neuronal chain the visual flow is analyzed and represented in the brain. The target area is one of the higher visual area of the macaque brain called medial superior temporal (MST) area (Fig. 1) where we found cells responding selectively to a specific visual flow, some to the translation, some to the rotation and the other to approaching or receding. We proposed a simple connection model (Fig. 2) in which we assume that MST cells integrate local motion signals extracted in MT area which precedes MST. In this project, we will study how the MST cells contribute to the perception of 3-dimensional space, by combining psychophysical experiments on human subjects and physiological experiments on the macaque MST cells. We will also collaborate with the group of Dr. Kawakami to improve our studies through the interactive discussions between experimental and theoretical points of view.

Fig.1 Hictatchical organization of macaque visual pathway

Fig.2 Integraion of MT-information in MST to make selectivity for the visual flow of different modes