Temporal properties of inputs to direction-selective neurons in monkey V1

J Neurophysiol. 2005 Jul;94(1):282-94. doi: 10.1152/jn.00868.2004. Epub 2005 Mar 2.

Abstract

Motion in the visual scene is processed by direction-selective neurons in primary visual cortex. These cells receive inputs that differ in space and time. What are these inputs? A previous single-unit recording study in anesthetized monkey V1 proposed that the two major streams arising in the primate retina, the M and P pathways, differed in space and time as required to create direction selectivity. We confirmed that cortical cells driven by P inputs tend to have sustained responses. The M pathway, however, as assessed by recordings in layer 4Calpha and from cells with high contrast sensitivity, is not purely transient. The diversity of timing in the M stream suggests that combinations of M inputs, as well as of M and P inputs, create direction selectivity.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / physiology
  • Animals
  • Macaca nemestrina
  • Motion Perception / physiology*
  • Neurons / classification
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Orientation / physiology
  • Photic Stimulation / methods
  • Reaction Time / physiology
  • Space Perception / physiology*
  • Time Factors
  • Visual Cortex / cytology*
  • Visual Cortex / physiology
  • Visual Fields / physiology
  • Visual Pathways / physiology*