Xin Huang

 

 

Neural basis of vision and visually guided behavior

E-mail: huang@physiology.wisc.edu

Research Strengths: Perception and Movement; Neuronal Circuits; Behavior, Cognition and Emotion

Our laboratory studies the neural mechanisms of visual motion and form processing and their interactions in the cerebral cortex and how representations of visual information guide eye movements. We take an integrative approach using techniques of neurophysiology, psychophysics, and computational modeling. Visual information is represented and processed by a large number of neurons distributed across dozens of brain areas. Each of these neurons is sensitive to certain features of the visual image and has a spatially-constrained “view” of the world. Moreover, because many visual neurons are broadly-tuned to stimulus features, any given visual feature is represented by the discharge of a large population of neurons. How are spatially-localized representations synthesized to form perception? How are attributes of visual stimuli decoded from distributed population activity to make perceptual decisions and to guide action? The research in our laboratory is directed at addressing these questions. One line of our research focuses on studying integration and segmentation of multiple visual features in the visual system. Another line of our research investigates the impact of eye movements on visual processing and perceptual stability.

Selected Publications:

• Huang, X. and S.G. Lisberger. 2009. Noise correlations in cortical area MT and their potential impact on trial-by-trial variation in the direction and speed of smooth pursuit eye movements. J. Neurophysiol. 101:3012-3030. [PDF] 
• Huang, X., T.D. Albright, and G.R. Stoner. 2008. Stimulus-dependency and mechanisms of surround modulation in cortical area MT. Journal of Neuroscience. 28:13889-906. [PDF]
• Huang, X. and M.A. Paradiso. 2008. V1 response timing and surface filling-in. J. Neurophysiol. 100: 539-47. [PDF]
• Huang, X., S. Levine, and M.A. Paradiso. 2008. Rebounding V1 activity and a new visual aftereffect. J. Vision. 8:25, 1-10. [PDF]
• Huang, X., T.D. Albright, and S.G. Stoner. 2007. Adaptive surround modulation in cortical area MT. Neuron. 53:761-770. [PDF]
• Huang, X. and M.A. Paradiso. 2005. Background changes delay information represented in macaque V1 neurons. J. Neurophysiol. 94:4314-30. [PDF]
• Huang, X., S. Blau, M.A. Paradiso. 2005. Background changes delay the perceptual availability of form information. J. Neurophysiol. 94:4331-43. [PDF]