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Mesencephalic control of lateral geniculate nucleus in primates. III. Modifications with state of alertness

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Summary

Transmission through the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) undergoes large, sudden changes, as does excitability of striate cortex, in unanesthetized macaques and squirrel monkeys. Tactile or auditory stimuli, or brief stimulation of the mesencephalic reticular formation has a pronounced facilitatory effect if the monkey is moderately inattentive. However, when the monkey is fully alert, the mesencephalic stimulation may produce no enhancement. During slow-wave sleep, transmission through LGN is greatly curtailed, but excitability of striate cortex is dramatically augmented. Anesthesia, on the other hand, severely depresses both LGN and striate cortex.

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Author notes

  1. Jorge Pecci-Saavedra

    Present address: General y Embriologia, Instituto de Anatomia, Paraguay 2155, Buenos Aires, Argentina

  2. Paul D. Wilson

    Present address: Psychology Department, University of California, 92502, Riverside, California

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Brain Research, University of Rochester, Rochester, USA

    John R. Bartlett, Robert W. Doty, Jorge Pecci-Saavedra & Paul D. Wilson

Authors
  1. John R. Bartlett
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  2. Robert W. Doty
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  3. Jorge Pecci-Saavedra
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  4. Paul D. Wilson
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Additional information

Supported by USPHS Grants NS 03606 and 2TlNB 5395.

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Bartlett, J.R., Doty, R.W., Pecci-Saavedra, J. et al. Mesencephalic control of lateral geniculate nucleus in primates. III. Modifications with state of alertness. Exp Brain Res 18, 214–224 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00234725

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00234725

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