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Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Using Looming Visual Stimuli to Evaluate Mouse Vision
Published on: June 13, 2019
Linear and nonlinear systems analysis of the visual system: why does it seem so linear? A review dedicated to the
1Center for Neural Science, New York University, 4 Washington Place, New York, NY 10003, USA. shapley@cns.nyu.edu
Abstract:
Linear and nonlinear systems analysis are tools that can be used to study communication systems like the visual system. The first step of systems analysis often is to test whether or not the system is linear. Retinal pathways are surprisingly linear, and some neurons in the visual cortex also emulate linear sensory transducers. We conclude that the retinal linearity depends on specialized ribbon synapses while cortical linearity is the result of balanced excitatory and inhibitory synaptic interactions.
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