Hallucination Simulation

Under certain conditions the cortex of the human brain can act to propagate wavelike activity (these aren't the usual 'brain waves'). Such states can be induced by epilepsy, administration of hallucinogenic drugs, migraines, and even by certain stimuli such as strobe lights of particular frequency. This video represents a cross-section of spontaneous pattern formation in a simple model of primary visual cortex. Over the course of the video, parameters governing a simple model of hallucinations are varied. The logarithmic spiral property of this image comes from projecting back through the retinocortical map, showing approximately how wave activity in the visual cortex might appear to the observer. The color and seven fold symmetry are artificially imposed.



The equations look pretty typeset but require a lot of explanation. I should return and explain more once I understand it myself.

Wed, Jul 30, 2008  Permanent link