Comparison of the spatial response properties of the human retina and cortex as measured by simultaneously recorded pattern ERGs and VEPs.

Electroretinograms and visual evoked potentials were simultaneously recorded from adult subjects using a checkerboard pattern stimulus reversing at 0.94, 3.75 and 7.5 Hz. Two contrast levels were used: 30 and 85%. The data obtained from the cortex (VEPs) show spatial tuning properties for all temporal frequencies at both contrast levels, with the peak of the amplitude-check size function occurring between 15 and 30 min. Tuning properties were found at the retina but only at the high contrast level and for the faster (3.75 and 7.5 Hz) temporal frequencies. The results demonstrate that spatial tuning is present in the human retina but not under as wide a range of conditions as found at the cortex.