Functional significance of conduction velocity in the transfer of flicker information in the optic nerve of the cat.

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Abstract
Single units were isolated with microelectrodes at the optic disc of the intact cat eye. The conduction velocity was measured anti-domically, and the spike discharge pattern to flicker stimulation was recorded. The maximum impulse frequency during flicker stimulation, the flicker frequency above which the response became indistinguishable from the response to steady light (CFF), and the flicker frequency above which the response failed to follow the flicker (CCF) were found to be positively correleated to conduction velocity. It was also observed that the CFF was lower than the temporal resolving capability of the optic nerve fiber. The CFF must be imposed distal to the ganglion cell. Still the functional properties of the distal units are maintained in the optic tract fibers.