Neuron Orientations: A Computer Application

Does rearing kittens in highly structured visual environments result in differences of physical configuration in individual neurons which correlate with other observed changes in neural characteristics [such as the orientation of their visual fields (Hubel and Wiesel, 1962)]? This question is under investigation, with the physical parameter in question being the “orientation” of the dendritic field of the neuron. In this chapter, computer-based techniques are outlined for acquisition and representation of relevant data, and for describing “orientation” quantitatively.