Binocular integration in primary visual cortex

Location: 427 Bryan Research Building.

Binocular vision requires that inputs from the two eyes are rapidly integrated and combined into a singular, coherent, "cyclopean" view. However, the two eyes' views are almost never identical and often differ substantially. Neuroanatomically, the eyes provide two largely separate streams of information to primary visual cortex (V1). Here, I will discuss two recent studies from our group examining the spatiotemporal integration of interocular signals across the V1 microcircuit. In the first study, we examine modulatory effects of binocular stimulation on so-called monocular V1 neurons. In the second study, we examine the how the (in)congruence of of binocular stimulation is expressed in the temporal dynamics of V1 neurons. Taken together, these findings suggest that binocular signals in the early visual system are both rapid and complex. I will end by discussing how these findings have inspired a line of psychophysical investigations currently underway.