Visuomotor restriction of one eye in kittens reared with alternate monocular deprivation. 1978

R D Freeman

It is known that kittens reared in ways that restrict movement while visual stimulation is received exhibit deficits in visually guided behavior. Presumably, the behavioral dysfunction is due to a lack of sensorimotor coordination during visual exposure. The current investigation was undertaken to study this effect both physiologically and behaviorally. Two groups of kittens were normally reared until they were nearly 4 weeks old. They were then placed in a darkroom and exposed daily for 1--2 hours while one eye was occluded. On alternate days, alternate eyes were covered. One group was restrained in a body cast while a given eye was exposed, but the kittens were free to move about while the other eye received visual experience. A second control group was alternately occluded, but freely mobile during all exposures. An additional cat was also unrestrained during daily rearing periods and neither eye was ever occluded. Behavioral tests showed clear deficits when the "passive" eye of the restrained-unrestrained group was used. Deficiencies were found in visually guided paw placing, pursuit eye movements, and jumping behavior to a platform. Responses of single cells were studied in area 17 of the visual cortex. Ocular dominance distributions showed marked reductions in binocularity for alternated occluder cats. The eye that had received exposure while animals were active in the restrained-unrestrained group also tended to predominate but the difference was not statistically significant.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007395 Interneurons Most generally any NEURONS which are not motor or sensory. Interneurons may also refer to neurons whose AXONS remain within a particular brain region in contrast to projection neurons, which have axons projecting to other brain regions. Intercalated Neurons,Intercalated Neuron,Interneuron,Neuron, Intercalated,Neurons, Intercalated
D007839 Functional Laterality Behavioral manifestations of cerebral dominance in which there is preferential use and superior functioning of either the left or the right side, as in the preferred use of the right hand or right foot. Ambidexterity,Behavioral Laterality,Handedness,Laterality of Motor Control,Mirror Writing,Laterality, Behavioral,Laterality, Functional,Mirror Writings,Motor Control Laterality,Writing, Mirror,Writings, Mirror
D009068 Movement The act, process, or result of passing from one place or position to another. It differs from LOCOMOTION in that locomotion is restricted to the passing of the whole body from one place to another, while movement encompasses both locomotion but also a change of the position of the whole body or any of its parts. Movement may be used with reference to humans, vertebrate and invertebrate animals, and microorganisms. Differentiate also from MOTOR ACTIVITY, movement associated with behavior. Movements
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
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
D012025 Reflex, Pupillary Constriction of the pupil in response to light stimulation of the retina. It refers also to any reflex involving the iris, with resultant alteration of the diameter of the pupil. (Cline et al., Dictionary of Visual Science, 4th ed) Pupillary Reflex
D012149 Restraint, Physical Use of a device for the purpose of controlling movement of all or part of the body. Splinting and casting are FRACTURE FIXATION. Immobilization, Physical,Physical Restraint,Physical Immobilization,Physical Restraints,Restraints, Physical
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
D003336 Tectum Mesencephali The dorsal portion or roof of the midbrain which is composed of two pairs of bumps, the INFERIOR COLLICULI and the SUPERIOR COLLICULI. These four colliculi are also called the quadrigeminal bodies (TECTUM MESENCEPHALI). They are centers for sensorimotor integration. Corpora Quadrigemina,Lamina Quadrigemina,Quadrigeminal Plate,Tectal Plate,Commissure of Inferior Colliculus,Commissure of Superior Colliculus,Colliculus Commissure, Inferior,Colliculus Commissure, Superior,Inferior Colliculus Commissure,Inferior Colliculus Commissures,Mesencephalus, Tectum,Plate, Quadrigeminal,Plate, Tectal,Quadrigeminal Plates,Superior Colliculus Commissure,Superior Colliculus Commissures,Tectal Plates,Tectum Mesencephalus
D003867 Depth Perception Perception of three-dimensionality. Stereopsis,Stereoscopic Vision,Depth Perceptions,Perception, Depth,Perceptions, Depth,Stereopses,Stereoscopic Visions,Vision, Stereoscopic,Visions, Stereoscopic

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