Topic: orientation domains

A fundamental property of neurons in the primary visual cortex is their preference for orientation of edges. Recent studies further consolidated the finding that the spatial arrangement of orientation selective neurons in orientation domains and pinwheels is invariant across primates, carnivores and potentially even in some marsupials. No functional advantage favoring this universal common design is currently know. Here we address the question of whether the universal common design can provide a functional advantage over alternative designs. We formulate a mathematical theory formalizing the h