Rhythmicity in rabbit retinal ganglion cell responses.

An interesting pattern of rhythmic spike bursts was observed in the light responses of rabbit retinal ganglion cells when using a fast time scale. This rhythmicity was found in all ganglion cell types tested in all parts of the retina. The presence and extent of rhythmicity was related to the intensity, size and shape of the light stimulus. The best stimulus extended into the receptive field surround yet still evoked a strong response from the center. We suggest that rhythmicity results from time delays in the inhibitory interactions between central and surround pathways to the ganglion cells.