The variable interdependence of amplitude and implicit-time in PIII, b-wave and optic-nerve responses of the cat

Amplitude and implicit-times of responses representing different retinal layers (PIII, b-wave and optic-nerve response) were measured in electrophysiological recordings from isolated, arterially perfused cat eyes. The amplitude of these potentials was found to saturate at lower stimulus irradiances than the implicit-time in dark-adapted eyes. Light adaptation had a strong effect on the amplitudes, whereas the implicit-times were altered only slightly. Similar results were obtained in double-flash experiments. The injection of phosphodiesterase inhibiting drugs had different effects on amplitude, latency and implicit-time.