Faithful retinotopic maps with local optimum rules, axonal competition, and Hebbian learning

Innervation of the visual midbrain by axons from the retina can be described as a stochastic mapping process that maintains topography and polarity between the two regions. Previous work has identified a number of mechanisms that insure proper guidance of the axons. In the current report, we combine three of these mechanisms, servomechanical guidance with local optimum rules, axonal competition, and Hebbian plasticity. Although each of these separate processes are stochastic and therefore subject to imprecision, their combination guides growth cones to precise termination points.