Dynamics of neuronal populations modeled by a Wilson-Cowan system account for the transient visibility of masked stimuli

摘要

We study the transient dynamics occurring in a Wilson-Cowan type model of neuronal populations to explain psychophysical masking effects, in which a briefly presented vernier is followed by a grating of a variable geometrical configuration. A change in the spatial layout of the stimuli yields dramatic differences in the performance of the observers. In our model, these differences are explained by variations in the strength and duration of transient neural activity.