Spatial frequency processing in inferred PC- and MC-pathways.
The goal of this study was to investigate the role of inferred parvocellular (PC) and magnocellular (MC) pathways in spatial contrast sensitivity. Localized, spatially narrow-band patterns (sixth derivatives of Gaussians, D6s) were presented at various peak spatial frequencies. When the D6 appeared on a pulsed luminance pedestal (Pulsed-Pedestal Paradigm), the spatial contrast sensitivity showed a band-pass shape with good contrast sensitivity at medium spatial frequencies. When the D6 appeared on a steady luminance pedestal (Steady-Pedestal Paradigm), the spatial contrast sensitivity showed a low-pass shape with decreased sensitivity at high spatial frequencies. The band-pass CSF was interpreted as reflecting PC-pathway mediation; the lower spatial frequency region of the low-pass CSF as reflecting MC-pathway mediation.
Leonova
Anna
A
Visual Sciences Center, University of Chicago, 940 East 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. aleonova@vision.eri.harvard.edu
Pokorny
Joel
J
Smith
Vivianne C
VC
D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology*; D005829:Geniculate Bodies / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D012160:Retina / Q000502:physiology; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000502:physiology*