A physiological theory of depth perception from vertical disparity.

Full Abstract

It has been known since the time of Helmholtz that vertical differences between the two retinal images can generate depth perception. Although many ecologically and geometrically inspired theories have been proposed, the neural mechanisms underlying the phenomenon remain elusive. Here we propose a new theory for depth perception from vertical disparity based on the oriented binocular receptive fields of visual cortical cells and on the radial bias of the preferred-orientation distribution in the cortex. The theory suggests that oriented cells may treat a vertical disparity as a weaker, equivalent horizontal disparity. It explains the induced effect, and the quadrant and size dependence of vertical disparity. It predicts that horizontal and vertical disparities should locally enhance or cancel each other according to their depth signs, and that the effect of vertical disparity should be orientation dependent. These predictions were confirmed through psychophysical experiments.Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.

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Author information

Author/s: Matthews, Nestor (N); Meng, Xin (X); Xu, Peng (P); Qian, Ning (N);

Affiliation: Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, Columbia University, PI Annex Room 730, 722 W 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA.

Grants: F32 EY06969 (Agency:NEI NIH HHS) ; R 01 MH54125 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: Vision research (Vision Res), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Jan; vol 43 (issue 1) : pp 85-99

Dates: Created 2002/12/30; Completed 2003/04/07; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 12505608, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Depth Perception - physiology
Humans
Models, Neurological
Models, Psychological
Pattern Recognition, Visual - physiology

Photic Stimulation - methods
Psychophysics
Vision Disparity - physiology
Vision, Binocular - physiology
Visual Cortex - physiology

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