Research on Information Processing in the Central Nervous System

摘要

An on-line computer controlled visual stimulation and computation of the post stimulus time histogram of single neurons in cat visual cortex was carried out. Three-hundred fifty cells are described as to temporal firing pattern and field response curves. In addition, the effects of background illumination and reticular formation stimulation were studied in a smaller number. These two variables were effective in modifying field response patterns primarily by modifying basal firing levels and excitability. The use of single spot stimulation suggests the existence of a receptive field which would show unique sensitivity to (simple) geometric form or motion without the convergent coding at the geniculate suggested in the literature. In addition, these fields prove to be capable of modulation by changing circumstance. This view of the structure of the visual cortex of the mammal necessitates some revision of simplistic models which have been advanced for hardware realization of pattern-recognizing artifacts. (Author)