Remote pattern reversal reduces the proximal negative response of the goldfish retina

1. Using the eyecup preparation, proximal negative responses (PNR) to small test spots of different irradiance were recorded with (a) a stationary peripheral black and white grating surrounding the test spot, and (b) with contrast reversal of the same grating. In the latter case, the PNR-amplitude was reduced by a magnitude that was dependent on the frequency of contrast reversal. The reduction was maximum (approximately 50%) for a frequency of 8-10 Hz. 2. The attenuation was constant for PNR-amplitudes greater than half the maximum value, but increased for smaller responses. The fact that the intensity-response curve was not merely shifted towards higher values on the log intensity axis, indicates that the suppression was an effect neither of stray light nor of adaptive processes in the distal retina. 3. The effect of a single shift of the grating (by half a cycle) on the PNR was studied at different delays between grating shift and test spot presentation. Strong suppression of the PNR was found for delays between 100 ms (shift preceding test spot) and -50 ms (test spot preceding grating shift), with a maximum at about 30 ms. 4. This long-range effect of peripheral transient stimulation is of inhibitory nature, and probably related to Werblin's windmill effect.