Abstract
The spatial width of photoreceptor receptive fields affects the processing of signals in neural networks of the retina. This effect has been examined using the simple recurrent and non-recurrent network models, where lateral interaction strength was adjusted to approximate a prescribed receptive field profile. The results indicate that the optimal performance of the networks is obtained with photoreceptor receptive fields wider than the ganglion cell separation. It is thus concluded that while electrical coupling of photoreceptors in the retina reduces the intrinsic noise in the system, it also improves the sampling efficiency of the laterally coupled neural network of the retina.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barlow, H.B., Fitzhugh, R., Kuffler, S.W.: Change of organization in the receptive fields of the cat's retina during dark adaptation. J. Physiol. (London) 137, 338–354 (1957)
Baylor, D.A., Fuortes, M.G.F., O'Bryan, P.M.: Receptive fields of cones in the retina of the turtle. J. Physiol. (London) 214, 265–294 (1971)
Baylor, D.A., Hodgkin, A.L.: Detection and resolution of visual stimuli by turtle photoreceptors. J. Physiol. (London) 234, 163–198 (1973)
Brodie, S.E., Knight, B.W., Ratliff, F.: The spatiotemporal transfer function of the Limulus lateral eye. J. Gen. Physiol. 72, 167–202 (1978)
Cochran, W.T., Cooley, J.W., Favin, D.L., Helms, H.D., Kaenel, R.A., Lang, W.W., Maling, G.C., Nelson, D.E., Rader, C.M., Welch, P.D.: What is a fast Fourier transform? IEEE Trans. Audio Electroacoust. AU-15, 45–55 (1967)
Copenhagen, D.R., Owen, W.G.: Functional characteristics of lateral interaction between rods in the retina of the snapping turtle. J. Physiol. (London) 259, 251–282 (1976)
Detwiler, P.B., Hodgkin, A.L., McNaughton, P.A.: A surprising property of electrical spread in the network of rods in the turtle's retina. Nature (London) 274, 562–565 (1978)
Fain, G.L.: Quantum sensitivity of rods in the toad retina. Science 187, 838–841 (1975)
Falk, G., Fatt, P.: Physical changes induced by light in the rod outer segment of vertebrates. In: Handbook of sensory physiology, Vol. VII/1: Photochemistry of vision. Dartnall, H.J.A. (ed.). Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer 1972
Hartline, H.K., Ratliff, F.: Inhibitory interaction of receptor units in the eye of Limulus. J. Gen. Physiol. 40, 357–376 (1957)
Ikeda, H., Wright, M.J.: The outer disinhibitory surround of the retinal ganglion cell receptive field. J. Physiol. (London) 226, 511–544 (1972)
Krausz, H.I., Naka, K.: Spatiotemporal testing and modelling of catfish retinal neurons. Biophys. J. 29, 13–36 (1980)
Lamb, T.D., Simon, E.J.: The relation between intercellular coupling and electrical noise in turtle photoreceptors. J. Physiol. 263, 257–286 (1976)
Marčelja, S.: Initial processing of visual information within the retina and the LGN. Biol. Cybernetics 32, 217–226 (1979a)
Marčelja, S.: Optimal lateral interactions in a compound eye. J. Comp. Physiol. A 132, 159–166 (1979b)
Marčelja, S.: Mathematical description of the responses of simple cortical cells. J. Opt. Soc. Am. (in press) (1980)
Mersereau, R.M.: The processing of hexagonally sampled two-dimensional signals. Proc. IEEE 67, 930–949 (1979)
Monasterio, F.M. de: Center and surround mechanisms of opponent-color X and Y ganglion cells of macaques. J. Neurophysiol. 41, 1418–1434 (1978)
Ratliff, F., Knight, B.W., Graham, N.: On tuning and amplification by lateral inhibition. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 62, 733–740 (1969)
Reichardt, W.: Über das optische Auflösungsvermögen der Facettenaugen von Limulus. Kybernetik 1, 57–69 (1961)
Robson, J.G., Enroth-Cugell, C.: Light distribution in the cat's retinal image. Vision Res. 18, 159–173 (1978)
Schwartz, E.A.: Responses of single rods in the retina of the turtle. J. Physiol. (London) 232, 503–514 (1973)
Schwartz, E.A.: Electrical properties of the rod syncytium in the retina of the turtle. J. Physiol. (London) 257, 379–406 (1976)
Varjú, D.: Vergleich zweier Modelle für laterale Inhibition. Kybernetik 1, 200–208 (1962)
Werblin, F.S.: Synaptic input to bipolar cells. In: Vertebrate photoreception. Barlow, H.B., Fatt, P. (ed.). London, New York, San Francisco: Academic Press 1977
Westheimer, G.: Optical properties of vertebrate eyes. In: Handbook of sensory physiology, Vol. VII/2. Fuortes, M.G.F. (ed.). Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer 1972
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Marčelja, S. Electrical coupling of photoreceptors in retinal network models. Biol. Cybern. 39, 15–20 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00336940
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00336940