ISSN:
1432-1106
Keywords:
Stimulus velocity
;
Single cell responses
;
LGN
;
Area 17
;
Cat
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Neuronal responses to moving visual stimuli were recorded in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and area 17 of cats. Response duration (DE), number of spikes (NT), and mean frequency (FM) were estimated from the response histograms and analysed for their dependence on stimulus velocity. In the LGN, for about 2/3 of cells these response parameters changed monotonically with velocity up to about 100 °/s. In 1/3 of the cells, the response frequency was tuned to velocity. The speed at which individual cells reached a peak or plateau firing rate was correlated with their receptive field size. In area 17, most neurones were tuned to velocity. Nine out of 59 cells were insensitive to stimulus speed in that they responded equally well at stimulus velocities up to about 10 °/s. The results suggest that at higher levels in the nervous system information about velocity is represented in discrete groups of neurones. It is pointed out that different response parameters may be relevant for different perceptual phenomena associated with movement. The significance of integrational properties and lateral inhibition of nerve cells for the development of complex response properties is discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00235673
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