Transfer properties of the lateral geniculate body.

Abstract

The activity of units of the lateral geniculate body (LGB) was recorded in unanesthetized, mid-pontine pretrigeminal cats. A sinusoidal oscillation of light intensity at different frequencies was used for visual stimulation. Spike frequency (in counts/sec) was taken as the response variable. The "on" cells show, at 0.1 cps a phase lead of about 45[degree], the "off" cells a phase lag of 140[degree] degrees and the "on-off" cells present a stimulus response phase relationship, between the 2 values. The LGB transfer characteristics are presented. Comparison between the LGB transfer characteristics and the retinal ones has suggested that the LGB cells perform an operation of integration in time on retinal input.