Neural Responses to the Uniform Surface Stimuli in the Visual Cortex of the Cat

Abstract

In the early stages of the visual cortex (areas 17 and 18), it is well known that neurons respond to bar and contour stimuli. However, several recent studies reported that some neurons in this stage respond to uniform plane stimuli that cover the classical receptive fields [1, 2]. In order to better understand the neuronal mechanisms underlying surface representation in the early visual stages, we explored the distribution of activation to the uniform plane stimuli by using optical imaging of intrinsic signals and extracellular recordings from areas 17 and 18 of anesthetized cats. We also intended to examine the distribution of such activities in relation to the orientation preference map in the same areas.