[The hypothesis of the "efferent copy" in saccade programming in cats]

Horizontal eye movements in cats were recorded using the magnetic search coil method. Saccadic eye movements were linearly approximated. For combined eye and head movements the slope of lines was independent of maximal head velocity within the studied range (up to 250 degree/s). Saccades slowed down with a restrained head. The duration of the gaze shift grew with an increase of its amplitude. The amplitude of gaze was found to depend on the head velocity. Experimental data on the interaction of eye and head movements during the coordinated goal displacements are interpreted from standpoint of the saccadic signal suppression by the "efferent copy" signal for head movements.