ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the basic principles of spike timing in the mammalian subcortical visual system. The main components of this system are: (1) the eye, which transduces light energy into nerve signals; (2) the optic nerve and optic tract, along which trains of action potentials from the retinal ganglion cells are transmitted to the brain; (3) the brain centers where the optic-tract bers terminate. Some of these targets of optic-tract bers are involved in the control of controlled reex eye movements and aspects of visual function that do not reach consciousness normally. Other brain targets of optic bers relay signals directly to the primary visual cortex, and they are required for conscious visual perception (Rodieck 1998).
