Analogous intermediate shape coding in vision and touch.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 19805320.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1073/pnas.0904186106 and PMC identifier 2738619.
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Abstract
We recognize, understand, and interact with objects through both vision and touch. Conceivably, these two sensory systems encode object shape in similar ways, which could facilitate cross-modal communication. To test this idea, we studied single neurons in macaque monkey intermediate visual (area V4) and somatosensory (area SII) cortex, using matched shape stimuli. We found similar patterns of shape sensitivity characterized by tuning for curvature direction. These parallel tuning patterns imply analogous shape coding mechanisms in intermediate visual and somatosensory cortex.
Medical subject headings
- Macaca mulatta
- Pattern Recognition, Physiological
- Touch
- Vision, Ocular