The development of active binocular vision under normal and alternate rearing conditions

Abstract
Data availability
Article and author information
Metrics

Abstract

The development of binocular vision is an active learning process comprising the development of disparity tuned neurons in visual cortex and the establishment of precise vergence control of the eyes. We present a computational model for the learning and self-calibration of active binocular vision based on the Active Efficient Coding framework, an extension of classic efficient coding ideas to active perception. Under normal rearing conditions with naturalistic input, the model develops disparity tuned neurons and precise vergence control, allowing it to correctly interpret random dot stereograms. Under altered rearing conditions modeled after neurophysiological experiments, the model qualitatively reproduces key experimental findings on changes in binocularity and disparity tuning. Furthermore, the model makes testable predictions regarding how altered rearing conditions impede the learning of precise vergence control. Finally, the model predicts a surprising new effect that impaired vergence control affects the statistics of orientation tuning in visual cortical neurons.

Data availability

All data generated or analysed during this study are included in the manuscript and supporting files. Source data files have been provided for all Figures displaying our own generated data.

The following previously published data sets were used

1. Olmos A
2. Kingdom FAA
(2004) McGill Calibrated Colour Image Database
http://tabby.vision.mcgill.ca/.

http://tabby.vision.mcgill.ca/

Article and author information

Author details

Lukas Klimmasch

Theoretical Neuroscience, Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS), Frankfurt am Main, Germany

For correspondence
klimmasch@fias.uni-frankfurt.de

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

"This ORCID iD identifies the author of this article:" 0000-0002-9923-3052
Johann Schneider

Theoretical Neuroscience, Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS), Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.
Alexander Lelais

Theoretical Neuroscience, Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS), Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.
Maria Fronius

Department of Ophthalmology, Child Vision Research Unit, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.
Bertram Emil Shi

Dept of Electronic and Computer Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.
Jochen Triesch

Theoretical Neuroscience, Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS), Frankfurt am Main, Germany

For correspondence
triesch@fias.uni-frankfurt.de

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

"This ORCID iD identifies the author of this article:" 0000-0001-8166-2441

Funding

German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (01GQ1414)

Lukas Klimmasch
Alexander Lelais

Gernan Federal Ministry of Education and Research (01EW1603A)

Lukas Klimmasch
Johann Schneider
Maria Fronius
Jochen Triesch

European Union's Horizon 2020 (713010)

Alexander Lelais

Hong Kong Research Grants Council (16244416)

Bertram Emil Shi

Quandt Foundation

Jochen Triesch

The funders had no role in study design, data collection and interpretation, or the decision to submit the work for publication.

Copyright

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License permitting unrestricted use and redistribution provided that the original author and source are credited.