V1 neurons encode the perceptual compensation of false torsion arising from Listings law

Abstract

We try to deploy the retinal fovea to optimally scrutinize an object of interest by directing our eyes to it. Horizontal and vertical components of these fixation eye movements are determined by the objects location. However, fixation eye movements also involve a torsional component, which according to Listings law is fully determined by the 2D eye position acquired. According to Von Helmholtz knowledge of the torsion provided by this law alleviates the perceptual interpretation of the image tilt that changes with fixation, a view supported by psychophysical experiments he pioneered. We address the question where and how Listings law is implemented in the visual system and we show that neurons in monkey area V1 use knowledge of torsion to compensate the image tilt associated with specific eye positions as set by Listings law.