The lateral geniculate nuclues (LGN) is the primary source of visual input to the cerebral cortex. Neurons in the LGN receive visual information directly from the retinal ganglion cells- the output cells of the retina-and, in turn, give rise to axons that terminate in primary visual cortex. In addition to their retinal afferents. LGN neurons receive a massive feedback projection from the cortex. Our laboratory has been investigating the stability and dynamics of visual processing in the LGN with an emphasis placed on determining the contributions made by the feedforward and feedback pathways. Results show that the LGN is much more than a simple relay of visual information to cortex, but rather a site for dynamic processing of retinal signals.