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Updated: Mar 14, 2026
07:08
Investigating Object Representations in the Macaque Dorsal Visual Stream Using Single-unit Recordings
Published on: August 1, 2018
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Two subdivisions of macaque LIP process visual-oculomotor information differently
Mo Chen1, Bing Li2, Jing Guang2
1Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China; Institute of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
Summary
The dorsal and ventral parts of the lateral intraparietal cortex (LIP) have distinct roles. LIPd is primarily visual, while LIPv is involved in visual-saccadic processing, impacting eye movements.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Oculomotor Research
Background:
- The functional parcellation of the cerebral cortex, including the lateral intraparietal cortex (LIP), remains debated.
- While LIP is recognized for visual-oculomotor transformation, its specific role in sensory versus motor functions (attention-intention debate) is unclear.
- Distinct anatomical connectivity and morphology suggest functional differences between the dorsal (LIPd) and ventral (LIPv) parts of LIP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distinct functional roles of LIPd and LIPv in visual-oculomotor processing.
- To test the hypothesis that LIPv is more involved in oculomotor processing than LIPd due to its stronger connections with oculomotor centers.
Main Methods:
- Physiological recordings using memory saccade and gap saccade tasks.
- Analysis of LIP neuron activity and local field potentials across the dorsal-ventral dimension.
- Pharmacological inactivation using muscimol injection in LIPv and LIPd.
Main Results:
- LIP neurons showed a shift from vision-related to vision-saccade-related activity with increasing depth (dorsal to ventral).
- Local field potentials transitioned from visual to saccade evoked along the dorsal-ventral axis.
- Inactivation of LIPv, but not LIPd, significantly reduced express saccades, indicating a role in saccade generation.
Conclusions:
- LIPd and LIPv exhibit distinct functional specializations.
- LIPd is primarily involved in visual processing.
- LIPv plays a crucial role in visual-saccadic transformations and oculomotor control.
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