title: Spatial summation in human cone mechanisms from 0 degrees to 20 degrees in the superior retina.
abstract: The maximum area of complete spatial summation (i.e., Ricco's area) for human short-wavelength-sensitive-(S-) and long-wavelength-sensitive- (L-) cone mechanisms was measured psychophysically at the fovea and at 1.5 degrees , 4 degrees , 8 degrees , and 20 degrees along the vertical meridian in the superior retina. Increment thresholds were measured for three observers by a temporal two-alternative forced-choice procedure. Test stimuli ranging from -0.36 to 4.61 log area (min2) were presented on concentric 12.3 degrees adapting and auxiliary fields, which isolated either an S- or an L-cone mechanism on the plateau of its respective threshold versus intensity function. Test flash durations were 50 and 10 ms for the S- and L-cone mechanisms, respectively. The data indicate that, from 0 degrees to 20 degrees, Ricco's area increases monotonically for the L-cone mechanism, is variable for the S-cone mechanism, and is larger for the S-cone mechanism than for the L-cone mechanism for essentially all retinal locations. This pattern of results most likely reflects differences in ganglion cell density and changes in neural convergence with retinal eccentricity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523-1876, USA. vickiv@lamar.colostate.edu
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Volbrecht
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Shrago
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Schefrin
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Werner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005584:Fovea Centralis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011601:Psychophysics / Q000379:methods; D012160:Retina / Q000502:physiology*; D017949:Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D014785:Vision, Ocular / Q000502:physiology*