Importance of corpus callosum for visual receptive fields of single neurons in cat superior colliculus. 1979

A Antonini, and G Berlucchi, and C A Marzi, and J M Sprague

1. Section of the posterior two-thirds of the corpus callosum eliminates almost completely the response of superior colliculus (SC) neurons to stimulation of the contralateral eye in split-chiasm cats. On the contrary, the responsiveness of SC neurons to stimulation of the contralateral eye is not abolished by a transection of the posterior and tectal commissures leaving the corpus callosum intact. The callosal section also reduces the number of SC receptive fields abutting the vertical meridian in the ipsilateral eye of split-chiasm cats. 2. In cats with intact optic pathways, a similar callosal section abolishes the SC representation of the ipsilateral visual field in the ipsilateral eye and also reduces the number of receptive fields adjoining the vertical meridian in the same eye. In the contralateral eye, the SC representation of the ipsilateral visual field is reduced in extension to about one-fifth of that seen in cats with intact commissures. 3. The results suggest that the corpus callosum is the main pathway for cross-midline communication of visual information at not only the cortical, but also the midbrain level. The corpus callosum may subserve this function because it contains uninterrupted crossed corticotectal projections or because it transmits visual information from one hemisphere to contralateral cortical areas projecting ipsilaterally to SC. The latter hypothesis is more likely but, in any case, the findings imply that the lack of interhemispheric transfer of visual learning in cats with a chiasmatic and callosal section may depend on a midline disconnection of both subcortical and cortical visual centers. 4. The corpus callosum is also responsible for the representation of the ipsilateral visual field of the ipsilateral eye in the cat SC. The SC representation of the ipsilateral visual field in the contralateral eye is due, in minimal part, to direct retinotectal connections from temporal retina and, for the largest part, to the corpus callosum. 5. Finally, the corpus callosum contributes to the representation of the contralateral visual field near the vertical meridian of the temporal retina in both split-chiasm and normal cats. This is probably due to the scarcity of direct retinotectal projections from this part of the retina and to their supplementation by corticotectal neurons influenced by the callosal afferents.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009474 Neurons The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM. Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D009897 Optic Chiasm The X-shaped structure formed by the meeting of the two optic nerves. At the optic chiasm the fibers from the medial part of each retina cross to project to the other side of the brain while the lateral retinal fibers continue on the same side. As a result each half of the brain receives information about the contralateral visual field from both eyes. Chiasma Opticum,Optic Chiasma,Optic Decussation,Chiasm, Optic,Chiasma Opticums,Chiasma, Optic,Chiasmas, Optic,Chiasms, Optic,Decussation, Optic,Decussations, Optic,Optic Chiasmas,Optic Chiasms,Optic Decussations,Opticum, Chiasma,Opticums, Chiasma
D009898 Optic Disk The portion of the optic nerve seen in the fundus with the ophthalmoscope. It is formed by the meeting of all the retinal ganglion cell axons as they enter the optic nerve. Blind Spot,Optic Disc,Optic Nerve Head,Optic Papilla,Blind Spots,Disc, Optic,Disk, Optic,Head, Optic Nerve,Nerve Head, Optic,Optic Discs,Optic Disks,Optic Nerve Heads,Optic Papillas,Papilla, Optic,Papillas, Optic,Spot, Blind
D010775 Photic Stimulation Investigative technique commonly used during ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY in which a series of bright light flashes or visual patterns are used to elicit brain activity. Stimulation, Photic,Visual Stimulation,Photic Stimulations,Stimulation, Visual,Stimulations, Photic,Stimulations, Visual,Visual Stimulations
D001931 Brain Mapping Imaging techniques used to colocalize sites of brain functions or physiological activity with brain structures. Brain Electrical Activity Mapping,Functional Cerebral Localization,Topographic Brain Mapping,Brain Mapping, Topographic,Functional Cerebral Localizations,Mapping, Brain,Mapping, Topographic Brain
D002415 Cats The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801) Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D003337 Corpus Callosum Broad plate of dense myelinated fibers that reciprocally interconnect regions of the cortex in all lobes with corresponding regions of the opposite hemisphere. The corpus callosum is located deep in the longitudinal fissure. Interhemispheric Commissure,Neocortical Commissure,Callosum, Corpus,Callosums, Corpus,Commissure, Interhemispheric,Commissure, Neocortical,Commissures, Interhemispheric,Commissures, Neocortical,Corpus Callosums,Interhemispheric Commissures,Neocortical Commissures
D004292 Dominance, Cerebral Dominance of one cerebral hemisphere over the other in cerebral functions. Cerebral Dominance,Hemispheric Specialization,Dominances, Cerebral,Specialization, Hemispheric
D006624 Hippocampus A curved elevation of GRAY MATTER extending the entire length of the floor of the TEMPORAL HORN of the LATERAL VENTRICLE (see also TEMPORAL LOBE). The hippocampus proper, subiculum, and DENTATE GYRUS constitute the hippocampal formation. Sometimes authors include the ENTORHINAL CORTEX in the hippocampal formation. Ammon Horn,Cornu Ammonis,Hippocampal Formation,Subiculum,Ammon's Horn,Hippocampus Proper,Ammons Horn,Formation, Hippocampal,Formations, Hippocampal,Hippocampal Formations,Hippocampus Propers,Horn, Ammon,Horn, Ammon's,Proper, Hippocampus,Propers, Hippocampus,Subiculums
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia

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