美国约翰斯 霍普金斯大学的神经科学家近日通过研究，发现了可能与识别三维物体能力有关的大脑活动模式。相关论文10月5日在线发表于《自然—神经学》（Nature Neuroscience）。
人类的目标视觉能力极为出色，计算机虽然在算术运算、下棋方面能够胜过人类，但无法很好地识别三维物体。虽然描述一个三维物体不难，但要从不断变化的二维图形中挑出三维信息却是大脑执行的最难的任务之一。
约翰斯 霍普金斯大学的研究表明，大脑负责高级视觉的区域将三维物体当作平面的立体组合，多个神经细胞组合起来编码整个物体表面。约翰斯?霍普金斯大学Zanvyl Krieger意识-大脑研究所的Charles E. Connor说：“人类对物体结构非常敏感，这可能归功于大脑清晰的结构描绘方式。”
在这项研究中，约翰斯 霍普金斯大学博士后Yukako Yamane训练2只恒河猴看电脑屏幕上不断闪动的三维图像，同时记录猴脑中负责高级视觉区域中神经细胞的电反应，并应用电脑程序指导实验逐渐形成诱发强烈反应的物体形状。这一进化刺激策略帮助研究人员确定了驱动特定细胞反应的精确3D信息。
这种对大脑中物体编码的研究可能对治疗知觉障碍病人有帮助，此外，它还可以帮助研发计算机视觉的新方法。同时Connor也相信，对神经编码的理解可以帮助解释人的视觉体验，甚至审美感觉。（生物谷Bioon.com）
生物谷推荐原始出处：
Nature Neuroscience，doi:10.1038/nn.2202，Yukako Yamane，Charles E Connor
A neural code for three-dimensional object shape in macaque inferotemporal cortex
Yukako Yamane1, Eric T Carlson1,2, Katherine C Bowman1,3, Zhihong Wang1 & Charles E Connor1,3
Abstract
Previous investigations of the neural code for complex object shape have focused on two-dimensional pattern representation. This may be the primary mode for object vision given its simplicity and direct relation to the retinal image. In contrast, three-dimensional shape representation requires higher-dimensional coding derived from extensive computation. We found evidence for an explicit neural code for complex three-dimensional object shape. We used an evolutionary stimulus strategy and linear/nonlinear response models to characterize three-dimensional shape responses in macaque monkey inferotemporal cortex (IT). We found widespread tuning for three-dimensional spatial configurations of surface fragments characterized by their three-dimensional orientations and joint principal curvatures. Configural representation of three-dimensional shape could provide specific knowledge of object structure to support guidance of complex physical interactions and evaluation of object functionality and utility.
1 Zanvyl Krieger Mind/Brain Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA.
2 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
3 Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, 725 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
