Journal of Neurophysiology, Vol 52, Issue 2 350-371, Copyright © 1984 by APS

ARTICLES

Receptive-field properties and laminar distribution of X-like and Y-like simple cells in cat area 17

W. H. Mullikin, J. P. Jones and L. A. Palmer

We examined the spatiotemporal organization of excitatory regions in 197 simple receptive fields from cat area 17 using the peristimulus time response-plane technique of Stevens and Gerstein (53). With this method we observed a striking similarity between the spatiotemporal organization of excitatory regions in simple receptive fields and the excitatory centers in X or Y geniculate receptive fields. This observation suggested to us the possibility that individual simple receptive fields may be differentially innervated by either X or Y geniculate afferents. To test this hypothesis, we devised a quantitative measure that could characterize the excitatory regions in simple receptive fields as being X-like or Y-like. This measure was based on an understanding of the spatiotemporal organization of geniculate X and Y receptive fields. Further evidence supporting this division of simple cells was derived from additional physiological and anatomical comparisons. When compared to Y-like simple cells, X-like simple cells, as a group, gave a more sustained response to standing contrast, had smaller excitatory regions, and preferred slightly slower moving stimuli. A comparison of the properties of end-zone inhibition and directional selectivity showed no additional difference between X-like and Y-like simple cells. We found a correlation between the laminar position of X-like and Y-like simple cells and the known patterns of termination of X and Y geniculate afferents. Y-like simple cells were found in layers III, IVab, and VI, but not in layer IVc, whereas X-like simple cells were found in layer III, all parts of layer IV, and layer VI. Inhibitory regions appeared to play a major role in defining the spatiotemporal structure of simple receptive fields and they further acted to diminish differences between the spatial widths and velocity sensitivities of X-like and Y-like simple cells. These data are discussed in terms of a parallel model of geniculostriate convergence and support the hypothesis that the X and Y systems, which originate in the retina, are maintained in parallel at the level of simple cells in striate cortex.

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