Activation of the isthmo-optic neurons by the visual Wulst stimulation

The visual Wulst (VW) in the avian telencephalon is thought to be an avian equivalent of the mammalian striate cortex. Effects of electrical stimulation of VW were studied in the isthmo-optic nucleus (ION) of the Japanese quail by extracellular recording. Most ION neurons examined were activated by VW stimulation, and their response latencies ranged from 12 to 27 ms (mean +/- S.D. = 17 +/- 4 ms, n = 67). Thus, this study suggested that the avian 'visual cortex' could modulate some retinal function through the ION neurons.