Abstract

Visual scientists have frequently proposed dichotomous subsystems as the basis for analysis and organization of incoming visual information. One such subsystem is the ON- versus OFF-pathways. These pathways can be thought of as processing contrast-increment versus contrast-decrement information. Based on center-surround receptive field organization, ON- and OFF-center cells have been shown to exist in a wide variety of species (Hartline, 1938; Kuffler, 1953; Hubel and Wiesel, 1961). This subdivision begins with the retinal bipolar cells. At the retinal level, the distinction has been demonstrated both morphologically and pharmacologically (Famiglietti and Kolb, 1976; Slaughter and Miller, 1981). The segregation is further maintained in the lateral geniculate nucleus, with no interaction between the pathways occurring until the level of the visual cortex (Schiller, 1982).

© 1992 Optical Society of America