A multiple-frequency, multiple-region pattern electroretinogram investigation of non-linear retinal signals

It has been proposed that the spatial frequency doubled (FD) illusion may originate from Y-like non-linear retinal ganglion cells. If the contrast of multi-frequency stimuli is increased, Y cells show a phase advance in the self-sum frequencies but not in other output frequencies. We looked for these effects with a multi-region pattern electroretinogram (PERG) displaying the sum of two temporal frequencies in each visual field location. Regional variation was found in the recorded sum and difference frequencies. The results indicate that PERG signals become dominated by responses from Y-like cells when the FD illusion is seen.