Electroretinographic responses that may reflect activity of parvo- and magnocellular post-receptoral visual pathways

Kremers J, Link B (2008)


Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2008

Journal

Publisher: ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC

Book Volume: 8

Article Number: ARTN 11

Journal Issue: 15

DOI: 10.1167/8.15.11

Abstract

The electroretinogram (ERG) is a complex retinal response to visual stimuli that contains receptoral and post-receptoral components. Here, data are presented using stimuli that isolate the responses of L (long wavelength sensitive)- or M (middle wavelength sensitive)- cones or that stimulate the two simultaneously. The data show that at a temporal frequency of 12 Hz, ERG responses are L- to M-cone opponent with little inter-individual variability. Furthermore, the ratio of L- to M-cone-driven response strengths in the ERGs is about unity. These are also properties of the L- and M-cone opponent chromatic channel mediated by parvocellular activity. Similar to the parvocellular-mediated temporal sensitivity, the ERG response is robust to moderate changes in state of cone adaptation. Thus, the 12-Hz ERG shares distinct characteristics with the post-receptoral red-green sensitive parvocellular pathway. At higher temporal frequencies, the responses are not cone opponent, the inter-individual variability is larger, the mean L/M ratio is larger than unity, and the responses change more strongly when the state of cone adaptation is altered. These properties are reminiscent of the magnocellular non-opponent channel. The data suggest that under well-controlled conditions, the ERG can be used to study post-receptoral processes of the visual system.

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How to cite

APA:

Kremers, J., & Link, B. (2008). Electroretinographic responses that may reflect activity of parvo- and magnocellular post-receptoral visual pathways. Journal of Vision, 8(15). https://doi.org/10.1167/8.15.11

MLA:

Kremers, Jan, and Barbara Link. "Electroretinographic responses that may reflect activity of parvo- and magnocellular post-receptoral visual pathways." Journal of Vision 8.15 (2008).

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