Dynamics of responses of V1 neurons evoked by stimulation of different zones of receptive field

Abstract

The dynamics of receptive fields of 73 neurons in area 17 of cat visual cortex were studied using the temporal slice method. Three-dimensional maps of the receptive fields were plotted using the criterion of spike number in successive fragments (step 10 or 20 ms) of responses to 100 local flashes presented at different parts of the receptive field in random order. The size and configuration of such dynamically recorded receptive fields were then estimated. This allowed us to reveal the dynamic reorganization of all receptive fields 20–400 ms after stimulation. A small zone of responses appeared in the receptive field after initial latency, then it widened, received definitive configuration, and after that decreased and disappeared. The effect was reproducible under repeated estimations. The relationships between receptive field and the previously described orientation tuning dynamics, as well as between dynamics of receptive fields and their summation zones, mechanisms and possible functional meaning of the revealed effects for signal processing in the primary visual cortex are discussed.