Visual system is chosen as the model because it is simple to stimulate and exhibits a rich set of behaviors that can be quantitatively studied. Studies are devoted to understanding the fundamental mechanisms of vision including visual perception, eye movements, attention and neural encoding and decoding in the visual processing hierarchy.

Various types of mathematical models are developed to mimic visual functions in humans and mammalian non-humans. In addition, extensive work is done in development of new neural stimulation and recording techniques based on electrical and optical signals.