Abstract
Summary
The effects of light stimulation to the retina on the activity of neurons in the pulvinar nucleus were studied in anesthetized cats. Observations were made on a total of 69 samples on ongoing pulvinar activity in the following sequence: a period of spontaneous activity; a period of light stimulation; and a period of recovery. Intermittent light flashes changed both the pattern and rate of firing of 77% of the 62 areas studied with this type of stimulus. The evoked response was usually a burst of activity from 3–4 units following the onset of stimulation. At no time was there a decrease in ongoing activity observed with intermittent stimulation. With steady light, an inhibition of ongoing activity was observed in 2 experiments. The data indicate that a large portion of the nucleus contains cells which respond to light stimulation of the retina.
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