Adapted and Adaptive Properties in Neural Networks for Visual Pattern Discrimination: A Neurobiological Analysis Toward Neural Engineering

Abstract

A topic of interdisciplinary research in neurobiology and neuroinformatics concerns visual pattern recognition by neuronal networks. Drawing on quantitative studies of visual releasers of prey catching in toads, it can be shown that moving objects are classified based on an evaluation of certain configurational features. The information regarding these features is provided in the manner of parallel distributed processing within a retino-pretectal-tectal interacting network. This processing structure is, to a considerable extent, modifiable and adaptive. Associative and nonassociative learning processes take advantage of loop operations involving various forebrain structures. An artificial neuronal net, applying some principles of the toad's visual system, is tested to promote the dialogue between neurobiology and engineering.

Visual Awareness Due to Neuronal Activities in Subcortical Structures: A Proposal

“…These authors propose that in visual cortex, the former is mediated by the ventral visual processing stream, which terminates in IT, while the latter is mediated by the dorsal processing stream, which terminates in posterior parietal cortical areas (Goodale & Milner, 1992). We further propose that the visual awareness that survives the removal of visual cortex in rodents and more primitive vertebrates is not just ''spatial,'' but also allows the animals to recognize certain genetically determined-innately given-items that are of biological significance to them, as is evidenced by the detailed studies of subcortical object recognition in anurans by Ewert and his coworkers (Ewert, 1974(Ewert, , 1987Ewert et al, 1992).…”

“…In toads, the structures that are involved in the visual recognition of prey and predators include the optic tectum and certain associated thalamic nuclei (Ewert, 1974;Ewert, Beneke, Buxbaum-Conradi, Dinges, Fingerling, Glagow, Schürg-Pfeiffer, & Schwippert, 1992), but do not include telencephalic areas. Although it is possible to alter the responses of toads to visually recognized objects, it appears that the only way a toad can learn to recognize new objects is via olfaction (Sinsch, 1987;Ishii, Kubokawa, Kikuchi, & Nishio, 1995).…”

Modeling neural mechanisms of vertebrate habituation: Locus specificity and pattern discrimination

“…Besides locus and stimulus specificity, the orienting behavior in toads and frogs also exhibits other typical properties of habituation as summarized by Thompson and Spencer (1966). These include the exponential decrease of response intensity, spontaneous recovery, and both short-term and long-term habituation that last for different time periods (for a review see Ewert, 1984;Ewert et al, 1992).…”

A Neural Model of Synaptic Plasticity Underlying Short-term and Long-term Habituation

“…1) to describe two forms of memory. Such a curve can be roughly di- (Ewert, 1967(Ewert, , 1970(Ewert, , 1984Ewert & Kehl, 1978) (Herrick, 1933), is the neural structure underlying various learning types including habituation (for review of the relevant data, see Ewert, 1987;Ewert et al, 1992;Wang & Arbib, 1992). Based on these anatomical as well as neurophysiological data, Wang and Arbib (1991a,b) have previously modeled the neural structures of retina, OT, and AT in toads and frogs (see Figure 2).…”

“…In particular, Gardner-Medwin, 1989 Ingle, 1983;Ewert, 1984;Ewert et al, 1992). Third, toad visual habituation has served as a model of our computational studies in the past.…”