Central Processing of Visual Information A: Integrative Functions and

The present volume covers the physiology of the visual system beyond the optic nerve. It is a continuation of the two preceding parts on the photochemistry and the physiology of the eye, and forms a bridge from them to the fourth part on visual psychophysics. These fields have all developed as independent speciali ties and need integrating with each other. The processing of visual information in the brain cannot be understood without some knowledge of the preceding mechanisms in the photoreceptor organs. There are two fundamental reasons, ontogenetic and functional, why this is so: 1) the retina of the vertebrate eye has developed from a specialized part of the brain; 2) in processing their data the eyes follow physiological principles similar to the visual brain centres. Peripheral and central functions should also be discussed in context with their final synthesis in subjective experience, i. e. visual perception. Microphysiology and ultramicroscopy have brought new insights into the neuronal basis of vision. These investigations began in the periphery: HARTLINE'S pioneering experiments on single visual elements of Limulus in 1932 started a successful period of neuronal recordings which ascended from the retina to the highest centres in the visual brain. In the last two decades modern electron microscopic techniques and photochemical investigations of single photoreceptors further contributed to vision research.

The present volume covers the physiology of the visual system beyond the optic nerve. These investigations began in the periphery: HARTLINE'S pioneering experiments on single visual elements of Limulus in 1932 started a successful period of neuronal recordings which ascended from the retina to the highest centres in the visual brain.

Integrative Functions.- 1 Visual Perception and Neurophysiology. With 16 Figures.- 2 Neurophysiological Mechanisms in the Visual Discrimination of Form. With 9 Figures.- 3 Central Mechanisms of Color Vision. With 17 Figures.- 4 Neurophysiology of Binocular Single Vision and Stereopsis. With 16 Figures.- 5 Visual Stability and Voluntary Eye Movements. With 4 Figures.- 6 Neuronal Mechanisms of Visual Movement Perception and Some Psychophysical and Behavioral Correlations. With 37 Figures.- 7 Temporal Transfer Properties of the Afferent Visual System. Psychophysical, Neurophysiological and Theoretical Investigations. With 53 Figures.- 8 Maintained Discharge in the Visual System and its Role for Information Processing. With 8 Figures.- 9 Neuronal Changes in the Visual System Following Visual Deprivation. With 4 Figures.- Comparative Data.- 10 Principles of the Mosaic Organisation in the Visual System's Neuropil of Musca domestica L. With 19 Figures.- 11 Comparative Physiology of Colour Vision in Animals. With 18 Figures.- 12 The Evolution of Mammalian Visual Mechanisms. With 7 Figures.- Author Index.