[Responses of single cells of the rat lateral geniculate body to light stimuli differing in wavelength and intensity]

Single unit responses of the rat's lateral geniculate body to red and green stimuli of light emission diods and to daylight spectrum flashes were recorded. The primary response consisted either in an increase or in a decrease of the discharging rate. Each unit was responsive to all light stimuli either with excitation or inhibition, i.e. the direction of the change in the discharging rate was always the same for one cell. When applying the stimuli in the above mentioned sequence we found a shortening of the latency period and a shorter duration of the primary response, more afterdischarges, and a more marked postexcitatory inhibition.