SEPARATION OF THE DIRECTIONAL COMPONENT FROM ORIENTATIONAL COMPONENT IN THE VISUAL NEURONS RESPONSE
视觉细胞反应中方向选择性和取向选择性成分的分离

Moving optical stimuli are extensively used in studies of the directional and or orientational selectivities of visual neurons. However, since these two components usually coexist and are mixed in the cell's overall responses, it is desired to separate them from each other for analysis. In this paper, we provide theoretical evidence and some examples to show that the previous data analysis methods could not resolve this problem effectively. consequently the results were not precise enough. We propose to use the sine cosine function series as the fundamental variables and to apply optimum regression analysis to the experimental data. The results fit original data much better than results obtained using the previous methods. the directional and orientational components are separated completely, and it is possible to quantitatively determine these two properties precisely. Further more, we give an explanation of the intrinsic implication of the present method and our comprehension about directional orientational selectivity and preferred direction orientation.