Receptive field properties in the cat's area 17 in the absence of on-center geniculate input

摘要: Most neurons of area 17 in the cat respond to both light and dark stimuli, it is often assumed that these responses originate from on-center off-center cells, respectively, lateral geniculate nucleus. This has not been demonstrated experimentally, however. Whether on off pathways make unique contributions some response properties characteristic visual cortex, such as orientation selectivity, also unknown. The aim experiments was investigate questions by inactivating retinogeniculate pathway. In cats which D,L-2-amino-4- phosphonobutyric acid (APB) had injected into one eye, we found that, layers driven there were no cells with (Horton, J. C., H. Sherk (1984) Neurosci. 4: 374–380). pathway appeared have inactivated. To see how cortical receptive fields affected, examined 184 binocular contralateral eye. Each cell still a normal field ipsilateral compared cell's eye those APB assess drug's effects. Overall responsiveness severely reduced, onset stationary stimuli almost entirely abolished. Responses moving edges weak or absent most but strong few; simple tended more vigorous edge than complex cells. general reduction responsiveness, specific responses, indicated contribute (directly indirectly) 17. remaining think originated mainly on- surrounds somewhat depressed There was, however, systematic change direction selectivity specificity for length. general, remained surprisingly despite conspicuous responsiveness.