Summary
After learning a vertical/horizontal visual discrimination with one eye rats were tested on the same or the reverse discrimination with the second eye. Positive but imperfect savings were found in transfer rats and zero savings in reversal rats. However, there were no differences between the savings scores of normal rats and rats with section of the corpus callosum. When the first eye was subsequently retested, the normal rats which had learned the reverse discrimination with the second eye were significantly worse than those tested on transfer with the second eye, whereas no such difference occurred in the operated groups. It is argued that the uncrossed optic pathway is responsible for the indistinguishable performance of normal and operated rats on second eye performance, but that performance when the first eye is retested is now influenced by callosal fibres connecting primary traces in each hemisphere.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bianki, V.L., Morozova, N.P.: Visual discrimination of size and shape after section of the corpus callosum in rats. Fed. Proc. Transl. Suppl. 24, 773–776 (1964).
Bureš, J., Burešová, O., Fifková, E.: Interhemispheric transfer of a passive-avoidance reaction. J. comp. physiol. Psychol. 57, 326–330 (1964).
Burešová, O., Bureš, J.: Interocular and interhemispheric transfer of visual engrams in callosotomized rats. Physiol. bohemoslov. 20, 557–563 (1971).
Hayhow, W.R., Sefton, A., Webb, C.: Primary optic centers of the rat in relation to the terminal distribution of the crossed and uncrossed optic nerve fibres. J. comp. Neurol. 118, 295–322 (1962).
König, J.F.R., Klippel, R.A.: The Rat Brain: A stereotaxic atlas of the forebrain and lower parts of the brain stem. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins 1963.
Lashley, K.S.: Studies of cerebral function in learning. VI. The theory that synaptic resistance is reduced by the passage of the nerve impulse. Psychol. Rev. 31, 369–375 (1924).
Levinson, D.M., Sheridan, C.L.: Monocular acquisition and interocular transfer of two types of pattern discrimination in hooded rats. J. comp. physiol. Psychol. 67, 468–472 (1969).
Lund, R.D.: Uncrossed visual pathways of hooded and albino rats. Science 149, 1506–1507 (1965).
Mayes, A.R., Cowey, A.: The interhemispheric transfer of avoidance learning: An examination of the stimulus control hypothesis. Behav. Biol. (in press) (1973).
Montero, V.M., Brugge, J.F., Beitel, R.E.: Relation of the visual field to the lateral geniculate body of the albino rat. J. Neurophysiol. 81, 221–236 (1968).
Muntz, W.R.A., Sutherland, N.S.: The role of crossed and uncrossed optic nerve fibres in the visual discrimination of shape by rats. J. comp. Neurol. 122, 69–77 (1964).
Nadel, L., Burešová, O.: Interocular transfer in the hooded rat. Physiol. Behav. 4, 613–619 (1969).
Schneider, A.M.: Control of memory by cortical spreading depression: A case for stimulus control. Psychol. Rev. 74, 201–215 (1967).
—: Stimulus control and spreading cortical depression: Some problems reconsidered. Psychol. Rev. 75, 353–358 (1968).
Sechzer, J.A.: Successful interocular transfer of pattern discrimination in “split-brain” cats with shock avoidance motivation. J. comp. physiol. Psychol. 58, 76–83 (1964).
Sheridan, C.L.: Interoeular transfer of brightness and pattern discriminations in normal and corpus callosum sectioned rats. J. comp. physiol. Psychol. 59, 292–294 (1965a).
—: Interocular interaction of conflicting habits in the albino rat: A preliminary report. Psychon. Sci. 3, 303–304 (1965b).
— Shrout, L.L.: Differences in the effectiveness of the optic uncrossed fibre systems in albino and hooded rats. Psychon. Sci. 4, 177–178 (1966).
Winer, B.J.: Statistical Principles in Experimental Design. New York: McGraw-Hill 1962.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cowey, A., Parkinson, A.M. Effects of sectioning the corpus callosum on interocular transfer in hooded rats. Exp Brain Res 18, 433–445 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00234130
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00234130