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Visual receptive field properties of neurons in the caudate nucleus
Author(s) -
Nagy Attila,
Eördegh Gabriella,
Norita Masao,
Benedek György
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
european journal of neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.346
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1460-9568
pISSN - 0953-816X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1460-9568.2003.02764.x
Subject(s) - caudate nucleus , superior colliculus , receptive field , neuroscience , retinotopy , stimulus (psychology) , superior colliculi , nucleus , cats , visual field , visual system , biology , psychology , visual cortex , medicine , cognitive psychology
Visual single‐unit activity was recorded in the caudate nucleus of halothane‐anaesthetized, immobilized, artificially respirated cats. Visually sensitive neurons were found in the dorsolateral part of the caudate body. A majority of the units responded optimally to small spot‐like stimuli moving with velocities between 30 and 120 °/s. The receptive field of these units is large: it covers a major part of both the contra‐ and ipsilateral visual hemifields. No signs of retinotopy were observed. Most of the neurons display directional selectivity and are narrowly tuned to the direction of the moving stimulus. These physiological properties are consistent with recent morphological results that reveal multiple connections of the caudate nucleus with the superior colliculus through tecto‐extrageniculo‐thalamic pathways in the mammalian brain.