Seminar: Predictive Computations in the Primary Visual Cortex, Prof. Michael J. Berry II

The Graduate School would like to invite you to a seminar by Prof. Michael J. Berry II, from Molecular Biology at Princeton University. This talk will be introduced by Prof. Bernd Kuhn from Optical Neuroimaging Unit. 

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Date:   Monday, May 18, 2015
Time:  16:30 – 17:30
Venue: Seminar Room B503, Level B, Lab 1
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Speaker:

Prof. Michael J. Berry II
Molecular Biology at Princeton University

Title:

Predictive Computations in the Primary Visual Cortex

Abstract:

Motivated by the capability of the retinal to perform limited classes of predictive computation as well as by broader theories about prediction in the neocortex, we have begun to study the ability of local neocortical microcircuits to perform predictive computations. Our approach has been to use 2-photon optical imagining in layer 2/3 of the primary visual cortex of the mouse. Animals are head fixed but awake and free to move on a ball. We present spatial images containing many small line segments and form them into repeated temporal sequences. Most of the measured neurons (~98%) adapted rapidly to the presentation of a repeated temporal sequence, reaching essentially zero baseline response in several seconds. Then, these same neurons generated a strong response to a novel spatial image that violated the ongoing temporal sequence. In addition, we found a small subset of neurons (~2%) that produced a sustained response to repeated temporal sequences. This sustained response ramped up over the first few cycles of the sequence. Then, on a longer time scale, it exhibited some features of learning, such as an anticipatory shift to earlier response times as well as a form of pattern completion when presented with a single novel image. To test whether violations of repeated temporal sequences are salient, we trained mice to lick in response to the occurrence of a sequence violation. Animals readily learned this task, often within a single training session. 

We hope to see many of you there.

Sincerely,

Rina Nikawadori
Academic Services Section