To study the physiology of the primate visual system, non-invasive electrophysiological techniques are of major importance. Two main techniques are available: the electroretinogram (ERG), a mass potential originating in the retina, and the visual evoked potential (VEP), which reflects activity in the primary visual cortex. In this overview, the history and the state of the art of these techniques are briefly presented as an introduction to the special issue “New Developments in non-invasive visual electrophysiology”. The overview and the special issue can be used as the starting point for exciting new developments in the electrophysiology of primate and mammalian vision.

为了研究灵长类视觉系统的生理学，非侵入性电生理技术至关重要。有两种主要技术可用：视网膜电图 (ERG)，一种起源于视网膜的质量电位，以及视觉诱发电位 (VEP)，它反映初级视觉皮层的活动。在本综述中，简要介绍了这些技术的历史和最新技术，作为对特刊“无创视觉电生理学的新发展”的介绍。概述和特刊可以作为灵长类和哺乳动物视觉电生理学令人兴奋的新发展的起点。