Development of sensitivity to global form and motion in macaque monkeys (Macaca nemestrina)

Abstract

To explore the relative development of the dorsal and ventral extrastriate processing streams, we studied the development of sensitivity to form and motion in macaque monkeys (Macaca nemestrina). We used Glass patterns and random dot kinematograms (RDK) to assay ventral and dorsal stream function, respectively. We tested 24 animals, longitudinally or cross-sectionally, between the ages of 5 weeks and 3 years. Each animal was tested with Glass patterns and RDK stimuli with each of two pattern types – circular and linear – at each age using a two alternative forced-choice task. We measured coherence threshold for discrimination of the global form or motion pattern from an incoherent control stimulus. Sensitivity to global motion appeared earlier than to global form and was higher at all ages, but performance approached adult levels at similar ages. Infants were most sensitive to large spatial scale (Δx) and fast speeds; sensitivity to fine scale and slow speeds developed more slowly independently of pattern type. Within the motion domain, pattern type had little effect on overall performance. However, within the form domain, sensitivity for linear Glass patterns was substantially poorer than that for concentric patterns. Our data show comparatively early onset for global motion integration ability, perhaps reflecting early development of the dorsal stream. However, both pathways mature over long time courses reaching adult levels between two and three years after birth.

The Davida Teller Award Lecture, 2016

“…Later, using a montage with a high density EEG (electroencephalographic) sensor array (“net”), we confirmed that global sensitivity for motion was more advanced at 4–5 months of age than for global static form (Wattam-Bell et al, 2010). Analogous results have been found for infant monkeys' behavioral sensitivity to global form and motion (Kiorpes, Price, Hall-Haro, & Movshon, 2012). Our EEG data showed distinct topographic patterns of activation for form and motion stimuli, confirming that distinct neural systems were activated both in adults and in infants.…”

Adaptive Pulvinar Circuitry Supports Visual Cognition

“…Conventional opinion suggests a newborn’s interaction with the visual world initially draws upon innate circuits in the superior colliculus. Then after approximately two months, the major visual pathway through the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) to the primary visual cortex (V1) takes over and dominates adult vision [7–9]. This appears to be reflected in the ordered appearance of orientation and spatial frequency selectivity, followed by direction selectivity and finally stereoscopic depth perception [10].…”

“…This constant visual signal may initiate experience-dependent changes in area MT that set the dorsal stream on a path toward accelerated maturation compared to the ventral stream. Behaviorally, the early reliance on a dorsal stream pathway may also explain why motion perception develops before form perception in infant macaques [8, 9]. …”

Linking structure and function: Development of lateral spatial interactions in macaque monkeys

“…Testing procedures and stimulus generation methods were typical for the laboratory (see Kiorpes & Movshon, 1998; Kiorpes & Bassin, 2003; Stavros & Kiorpes, 2008; Hall-Haro & Kiorpes, 2008; El-Shamayleh, Movshon & Kiorpes, 2010; Kiorpes et al, 2012). Briefly, visual stimuli were generated by a Dell PC via a VSG2/3 video card (Cambridge Research Systems) and presented on a 21-inch video monitor (Nanao T660i).…”

“…We used our reinforced-looking methods with infant animals younger than about 20 weeks and standard operant conditioning techniques for older animals (see, e.g., Kiorpes & Movshon, 1998; Stavros & Kiorpes, 2008; Kiorpes et al, 2012). Briefly, the animals were freely roaming in a large testing cage that had a “face-mask” mounted on one wall.…”