Title :
Synchronization and stochasticity of neural activity in perceptual alternation of ambiguous figures
Author :
Murata, Tsutomu ; Isokawa, Teijiro ; Ogawa, Yuzo ; Matsui, Nobuyuki ; Yanagida, Toshio
Author_Institution :
Commun. Res. Lab., Kansai Adv. Res. Center, Kobe, Japan
Abstract :
A dynamical neural network model is presented to show critical roles of neural synchronization and stochastic noise in perceptual alternation of ambiguous figures. In the model a coherent percept is represented by synchronized activity of neurons, and perceptual alternation is caused by exclusive activation of two possible percepts of an ambiguous figure. We show that stochastic fluctuation (noise) added to neural activity plays an essential role in obtaining perceptual alternation. We also complete a psychophysical investigation of alternation distributions, which demonstrates that perceptual alternation is caused by a certain kind of stochastic dynamics in the brain
Keywords :
neural nets; noise; stochastic processes; visual perception; alternation distribution8; ambiguous figures; brain; coherent percept; critical roles; dynamical neural network model; exclusive activation; neural activity stochasticity; neural synchronization; perceptual alternation; psychophysical investigation; stochastic dynamics; stochastic fluctuation; stochastic noise; synchronization; synchronized activity; Biological neural networks; Computer networks; Fluctuations; Frequency; Neurons; Noise figure; Physiology; Psychology; Stochastic resonance; Visual system;
Conference_Titel :
Robot and Human Interactive Communication, 2001. Proceedings. 10th IEEE International Workshop on
Conference_Location :
Bordeaux, Paris
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-7222-0
DOI :
10.1109/ROMAN.2001.981883
