Faster Thalamocortical Processing for Dark than Light Visual Targets

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2456-11.2011
• Publication Date: 2011-12-02T10:13:58Z
• Authors: Jianzhong Jin; Yushi Wang; Reza Lashgari; Harvey A. Swadlow; Jose-Manuel Alonso
• Keywords: Visual processing

ON and OFF visual pathways originate in the retina at synapse between photoreceptor bipolar cells. cells are shorter length use receptors with faster kinetics than and, therefore, process information faster. Here, we demonstrate that this temporal advantage is maintained through thalamocortical processing, responses reaching cortex ~3-6 ms before responses. Faster could be demonstrated recordings from large populations of cat thalamic neurons representing center vision (both X Y) subpopulations making connection same cortical orientation column. While diminished as reached their peak, integral impulse response was greater neurons. Given stimulus preferences channels, our results indicate darks processed lights pathway.