RESPONSES OF SINGLE UNITS IN LATERAL GENICULATE NUCLEUS OF CAT TO MOVING VISUAL PATTERNS

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Abstract
Histograms of the averaged responses of single lateral geniculate units to card-board figures moved in the visual field under servomechanical control have been investigated. The figures moved either right across the receptive field or to the center and subsequently out again. The response of a given unit varied in a characteristic manner as the shape (bars, disks, or triangles), size (0.125[degree] to 10[degree]), speed (2.5%ec. to 25[degree]/sec.), or contrast (black on white or white on black) of the figures were varied. The majority of the units had responses which were in general agreement with a "center-surround" type of receptive field organization. There was, however, some variation in response from unit to unit. Other types of units included binocular units, units with large diffuse receptive fields, and units which responded only to a particular direction of movement of a figure. Units produced stronger responses to small moving figures than to changing ambient illumina-tioa The level of ambient illumination was not a significant factor in the response patterns.