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A spatio-temporal model of ganglion cell receptive field in the cat retina

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Abstract

A spatio-temporal model of ganglion cell receptive fields is proposed on the basis of receptive field characteristics of cat retinal ganglion cells reported in our previous paper. The model consists of the linear and nonlinear mechanisms in the ganglion cell receptive field. The linear mechanism is assumed to be composed of antagonistic center and surround mechanisms. Then, by integrating these mechanisms we construct a spatio-temporal impulse response function of ganglion cell receptive field. Here we assume that spatio-temporal impulse response function may be factored into spatial and temporal terms. By Fouriertransforming the spatio-temporal impulse response function, we can obtain the spatio-temporal transfer function. Contrast sensitivity characteristics of X-and Y-cells in the cat retina may be explained by the transfer function.

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Fukushima, Y., Hara, K. & Kimura, M. A spatio-temporal model of ganglion cell receptive field in the cat retina. Biol. Cybern. 54, 91–98 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00320479

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00320479

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