Theoretical analysis of reverse-time correlation for idealized orientation tuning dynamics.

A theoretical analysis is presented of a reverse-time correlation method used in experimentally investigating orientation tuning dynamics of neurons in the primary visual cortex. An exact mathematical characterization of the method is developed, and its connection with the Volterra-Wiener nonlinear systems theory is described. Various mathematical consequences and possible physiological implications of this analysis are illustrated using exactly solvable idealized models of orientation tuning.