Retinal and nonretinal influences on the relative encounter rates for x and y cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the monocularly paralyzed cat

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
William Guido (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Walter L. Salinger

Abstract: Brief periods of adult-onset monocular paralysis alter the physiology of the cat lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) in the thalamus, reducing the encounter rate for X cells relative to that for Y cells. This effect of monocular paralysis is mediated by an active physiologic mechanism which appears sensitive to the disruptions in binocular stimulation brought on by paralyzing the extraocular muscles of one eye. These binocular stimulus modifications include retinally mediated dimensions, such as abnormal patterns of retinal disparity, and nonretinally mediated ones, such as oculomotor/proprioceptive asymmetries. The objective of the present study was to examine which of these sensory modifications (retinal and/or nonretinal dimensions) is necessary to maintain the shift in the X/Y encounter rates produced by monocular paralysis. To accomplish this, retinal and/or nonretinal output arising from the mobile eye of monocularly paralyzed cats was removed by unilateral transection of the optic nerve and/or the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve, respectively.

Additional Information

Publication
Dissertation
Language: English
Date: 1984
Subjects
Vision, Monocular $x Experiments
Physiological optics
Eye $x Paralysis
Geniculate bodies
Cats as laboratory animals

Email this document to