[Electrophysiologic relations in the lateral geniculate body].

Abstract

Responses were evoked in the lateral geniculate body (L.G.B.) of "encéphale isolé" cats by single-shock stimulation of either the geniculate body or the optic tract of the other side. Responses to optic tract stimulation were modified following excitability changes in the contralateral L.G.B. due to topical application of strychnine and KCl. Laminar stimulation and recording in different layers (A, A1, and B) suggested the existence of a certain homotopic organization of L.G.B. interconnections. The activity evoked in the L.G.B. was found to be abolished by electrocoagulation of the posterior commissure and intermediate gray matter. These results point to the presence of a transthalamic pathway which might mediate L.G.B. activity to the contralateral visual cortex.