Mechanisms controlling retinal responses to natural stimuli

我们在理解感觉功能方面取得了巨大的进步。但这种理解失败了 来解释对自然刺激的反应我们建议发展一种机械的理解， 通过定向实验和定量建模的组合，刺激在灵长类动物视网膜中被编码。这将包括三个目标：（1）确定电路机制，解释显着差异， 阳伞神经节细胞对自然和阿尔蒂刺激的反应;（2）确定起源，性质， 视网膜神经节细胞感受野周围的功能意义;（3）开发和应用 新的工具来揭示锥适应在塑造神经节细胞对自然刺激的反应的重要性。

We have made a tremendous amount of progress understanding sensory function. But this understanding fails to account for responses to natural stimuli. We propose to develop a mechanistic understanding of how natural stimuli are encoded in the primate retina through a combination of directed experimentation and quantitative modeling. This will encompass three aims: (1) determining the circuit mechanisms that explain striking differences in responses of On parasol ganglion cells to natural and artificial stimuli; (2) determining the origin, properties, and functional significance of the receptive field surround of retinal ganglion cells; and, (3) developing and applying new tools to reveal the importance of cone adaptation in shaping ganglion cell responses to natural stimuli.