A model of the illusory contour formation based on dendritic computation

  • Authors:

  • Draen Domijan;Mia Šetić;Domagoj Švegar

  • Affiliations:

  • Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Rijeka, I. Klobučarića 1, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia;Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Rijeka, I. Klobučarića 1, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia;Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Rijeka, I. Klobučarića 1, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia

  • Venue:
  • Neurocomputing
  • Year:
  • 2007

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Abstract

We proposed a new model of illusory contour formation based on the properties of dendritic computation. The basic elements of the network are a single-excitatory cell with two dendritic branches and an inhibitory cell. Both dendritic branches behave as an independent linear unit with a threshold. They sum all excitatory input from the nearby collinear cells, and the inhibition from one collateral of the corresponding inhibitory cell. Furthermore, the output of dendritic branches multiplicatively interacts before it is sent to the soma. The multiplication allows the excitatory cell to be active only if both of its branches receive enough excitation to reach the threshold. Computer simulations showed that the presented model of the illusory contour formation is able to perform perceptual grouping of nonadjacent collinear elements. It shows a linear response relationship with the input magnitude because dendritic inhibition counteracts recurrent excitation. The model can explain why illusory contours are stronger with irregular placement of inducing elements rather than regular placement and why top-down influences may prevent the illusory contour formation.