Development of visually evoked responses and visually guided behavior in kittens: effects of superior colliculus and...

The development of visually evoked responses (VER's) and visually guided behavior was studied in kittens for 3 months after unilateral lesions of the superior colliculus (SC) or lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) made at an early age. Of 37 kittens studied, data are presented for 6 which met 3 criteria: survival to at least 90 days of age; adequate lesion size and location; and technically satisfactory VER's and behavioral observations at appropriate intervals. The SC and LGN lesions markedly reduced or eliminated different VER components in infancy, but only the effects of LGN lesions persisted to 3 months of age. Visual field behavior deficits occurred following both types of lesions, but only those following SC lesions persisted to 3 months of age. These results are interpreted in terms of the functional status of the structures mediating the VER's and behavior at the time the lesions were made.