Single Visual Neurons Code Opposing Motion Independent of Direction

Abstract

Cells in intermediate and deeper layers of the pigeon optic tectum respond best when a textured background pattern is moved in the opposite direction to a moving test spot. Complete inhibition occurs when the background moves in the same direction as the test stimulus. Most noteworthy is the invariance of this relationship over a wide range of test spot directions. These cells represent a higher level of abstraction in a motion-detecting system and may play a role in figure-ground segregation or the discrimination of the motion of an object from self-induced optical motion.