Variability in the firing of retinal ganglion cells of goldfish: a review.

The isolated retina of the goldfish has proven a valuable resource for studying the variability of firing of retinal ganglion cells. Three major areas of study are considered here: the variability of maintained discharges, the correlated firing of neighboring ganglion cells, and the variability of responses to light. The sources of variability, its relationship to retinal processing, and its possible functional role in perception are examined through these three aspects of variability. The results are related to similar studies in mammals (mainly cats). This retrospective is biased toward my studies over 30 years.