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Differential responsiveness of cells in the visual zones of the cat's LP-pulvinar complex to visual stimuli

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Summary

Multiple visual field representations are contained within the feline LP-pulvinar complex; regions differentiated by their afferent and efferent connectivity patterns as the striate-, tecto- and retino-recipient zones. Cell responses from these visuotopic zones were investigated in immobilized cats under N2O/O2 supplemented with pentobarbitone or Althesin, using spot, bar and textured stimuli.

Response fields recorded within the LP-pulvinar complex were classified as diffuse, concentric, movement-, direction- or orientation-sensitive. Concentric receptive fields were further classified as sustained (X), transient (Y) or tonic/phasic W-cells. Direction-and movement-sensitive cells predominated in the striate- and tecto-recipient zones, respectively. Motion of noise fields, or noise bars against an identical stationary noise background elicited vigorous responses from cells in the striate zone, many showing a preference for noise stimuli. In contrast, cells from the tectal zone and other divisions of the LP-pulvinar complex were insensitive to noise. The retino-recipient zone at the lateral margin of the pulvinar nucleus was characterized by cells with concentric receptive fields, the majority exhibiting properties similar to W-cells in the LGNd. The evidence supports the notion of functional subdivision within the LP-pulvinar complex corresponding to the visuotopically organized regions defined by their connectivity patterns. Consideration of the retino-recipient zone as an extension of the LGNd-MIN complex is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Electropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK

    R. Mason

  2. Department of Communication and Neuroscience, University of Keele, ST5 5BG, Keele, Staffordshire, UK

    R. Mason

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Supported by the MRC (Grant No. 976/64/N)

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Mason, R. Differential responsiveness of cells in the visual zones of the cat's LP-pulvinar complex to visual stimuli. Exp Brain Res 43, 25–33 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00238806

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00238806

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