Journal of Neurophysiology, Vol 56, Issue 4 1102-1108, Copyright © 1986 by APS

ARTICLES

Cat area 17. IV. Two types of corticotectal cells defined by controlling geniculate inputs

T. G. Weyand, J. G. Malpeli, C. Lee and H. D. Schwark

The dependence of cat area 17 corticotectal (CT) cells on specific subdivisions of the dorsal lateral geniculate (LGN) and medial interlaminar nuclei (MIN) was examined using reversible inactivation techniques. Inactivation of layer C of the LGN or layer 1 of the MIN did not block visual activity of CT cells driven through the contralateral eye. Inactivation of layer A of the LGN revealed two populations of CT cells: one strongly dependent on layer A and one whose visually driven activity survived layer A inactivation. CT cells that responded best to short stimuli (special complex cells) were least dependent on layer A, whereas cells that responded best to long stimuli (standard complex cells) were most dependent on layer A. We propose a model of the intracortical circuitry of these two types of CT cells. Standard complex cells, which are heavily dependent on layer A, receive sustaining visual input through layers 4 and/or 6. Special complex cells, which are not dependent on any single layer of the lateral geniculate nucleus, receive sustaining visual input from supragranular layers.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. Everling, M. C. Dorris, R. M. Klein, and D. P. Munoz Role of Primate Superior Colliculus in Preparation and Execution of Anti-Saccades and Pro-Saccades J. Neurosci., April 1, 1999; 19(7): 2740 - 2754. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. K. Tate and J. G. Malpeli Effects of Focal Inactivation of Dorsal or Ventral Layers of the Lateral Geniculate Nucleus on Cats' Ability to See and Fixate Small Targets J Neurophysiol, October 1, 1998; 80(4): 2206 - 2209. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]