Function of P and M Pathways in Primates.

Abstract

Psychophysical threshold measures were used in combination with precisely located lesions of the sub-cortical visual pathway to examine segregation of function between P and M pathways. Scleral search coils monitored fixation locus in the tested monkeys, to insure that test stimuli were presented in visual field regions corresponding to the lesion location. Results of these studies indicated that the P pathway (or color-opponent pathway) is the major contributor to visual acuity, color vision, and luminance contrast sensitivity. On the other hand, the M pathway (or broadband pathway) appeared crucial for the visibility of low spatial frequencies (broad contours), as well as sensitivity to rapidly drifting visual stimuli.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 13, 1992
Accession Number
ADA250055

Entities

People

  • William Merigan

Organizations

  • University of Rochester

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Biological Sciences
  • Color Vision
  • Contrast
  • Frequency
  • Luminance
  • Mental Processes
  • Neural Pathways
  • New York
  • Perception
  • Physiology
  • Psychological Phenomena And Processes
  • Psychophysiology
  • Sensation
  • Sensitivity
  • Visual Acuity

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Psychology

Readers

  • Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).
  • Molecular Biology and Genetics
  • Systems Analysis and Design