Detection and prediction of periodic patterns by the retina

Nat Neurosci. 2007 May;10(5):552-4. doi: 10.1038/nn1887. Epub 2007 Apr 22.

Abstract

A fundamental task of the brain is detecting patterns in the environment that enable predictions about the future. Here, we show that the salamander and mouse retinas can recognize a wide class of periodic temporal patterns, such that a subset of ganglion cells fire strongly and specifically in response to a violation of the periodicity. This sophisticated retinal processing may provide a substrate for hierarchical pattern detection in subsequent circuits.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / physiology
  • Action Potentials / radiation effects
  • Animals
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Larva
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Periodicity*
  • Photic Stimulation / methods
  • Retina / cytology
  • Retina / physiology*
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / physiology
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / radiation effects
  • Time Factors
  • Urodela
  • Visual Fields / physiology*
  • Visual Pathways / physiology*