Eye position signals in cat superior colliculus

Single unit activity was studied in the intermediate and deep layers of the superior colliculus in two trained cats. Eye movements were recorded with a magnetic search coil, the head being fixed. Discharge rates which varied as a function of eye position were consistently observed in 7 of 67 (about 10%) of the sample of eye movement-related units. These units showed similar changes in firing rate as a function of eye position in total darkness and during task related fixation of visual targets and thus appear to convey an "eye position" signal. Their activity may originate either from proprioception or from corollary discharge.