We consider a differential model describing neuro-physiological contrast perception phenomena induced by surrounding orientations. The mathematical formulation relies on a cortical-inspired modelling largely used over the last years to describe neuron interactions in the primary visual cortex (V1) and applied to several image processing problems. Our model connects to Wilson-Cowan-type equations and it is analogous to the one used in to describe assimilation and contrast phenomena, the main novelty being its explicit dependence on local image orientation. To conrm the validity of the model, we report some numerical tests showing its ability to explain orientation-dependent phenomena (such as grating induction) and geometric-optical illusions classically explained only by ltering-based techniques.