Summary: *Corresponding author.
E-mail address: email@example.com (F.S. Chance).
Neurocomputing 32}33 (2000) 339}344
A recurrent network model for the phase invariance
of complex cell responses
Frances S. Chance*, Sacha B. Nelson, L.F. Abbott
Volen Center for Complex Systems MS013, Deptartment of Biology, Brandeis University,
Waltham, MA 02454-9110, USA
Accepted 11 January 2000
Cortical ampli"cation is a mechanism for modifying the selectivity of neurons through
recurrent interactions. Although conventionally used to enhance selectivity, cortical ampli"ca-
tion can also broaden it, de-tuning neurons. Here we show that the spatial-phase invariance of
complex cell responses in primary visual cortex can arise using recurrent ampli"cation of
feedforward input. Neurons in the model network respond like simple cells when recurrent
connections are weak and complex cells when they are strong. Simple or complex cells can
coexist in such a network, and they can have a range of selectivities for image characteristics
such as spatial frequency. 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Complex cell; Simple cell; Recurrent ampli"cation; Visual cortex