Application of the elastic net algorithm to the formation of ocular dominance stripes

Abstract

The elastic net algorithm, an iterative technique for the solution of combinatorial optimisation problems that have a geometric interpretation, was applied to the problem of explaining the development of ocular dominance stripes in the vertebrate visual system. Simulations show that this algorithm produces stripes under certain conditions. Analysis is presented that predicts the moment at which stripes form and an expression is derived for how stripe width depends on the parameters of the system. In contrast to most other models for stripe formation, the elastic net algorithm provides a common explanatory framework for the development of stripes and of retinotopically ordered projections.