Binocular interactions in striate cortical neurons of cats reared with discordant visual inputs

摘要: The postnatal development of cortical binocularity is known to be adversely affected by early abnormal visual experience. However, little information exists on how the signals from two eyes are combined in individual neurons animals reared with discordant binocular Since this a fundamental issue understanding development, we used extracellular single-unit recording methods study integration striate strabismic cats. Specifically, measured sensitivity cells relative interocular spatial phase dichoptically presented drifting sinusoidal gratings (i.e., retinal image disparity). Clear alterations ocular dominance were observed all subjects. Nevertheless, majority exhibited some form interactions when both stimulated together. most prominent aspect physiology was relatively high prevalence suppressive interactions. Suppression frequently found kittens 2 weeks optical dissociation and among adult cats that received prolonged recovery period. substantial excitatory also maintained these animals. With an extended period misalignment (3 or 8 months), forms interactions, suppressive, drastically reduced greater number truly monocular. Although reduction strength occurred units irrespective their monocular properties, effect more pronounced those tuned higher frequencies spatial-frequency-dependent larger subjects receiving longer periods dissociation. results suggest "breakdown" properties not all-or-none process, may closely associated humans. Furthermore, our findings consistent notion disparity-detecting mechanisms spatial-frequency dependent and, thus, can selectively altered depending animal's