Encoding model for continuous motion-sensitive neurons in the intermediate and deep layers of pigeon Optic Tectum

There are typical neurons in the intermediate and deep layers of the optic tectum of avian, which are sensitive to small continuous moving targets. Based on this sensitivity of these neurons to continuous moving targets, the hypothesis of directed energy accumulation in dendrite field of these neurons is proposed. Based on the phenomenon that single dendrite activation can induce somatic spikes in vitro, the hypothesis of sequential probability activation mechanism of soma is proposed. Combined with the above hypotheses, the information encoding model of these typical neurons is constructed. Moreover, electrophysiological experiments and model simulations are carried out to obtain the response of neurons to visual stimuli of sequential motion, random motion and random sequential motion. Results show that the encoding model fits the response properties of continuous motion-sensitive neurons well. This study is of great significance for understanding the neurophysiological process of small-target perception for avian tectofugal pathway and the construction of the brain-inspired small-target detection algorithm.