Visual properties of neurons in the suprageniculate nucleus of the cat

Visual response properties were studied in 83 single units recorded in the cat suprageniculate nucleus (Sg). About 70% of the cells were visually driven preferentially by the contralateral eye and triggered by moving stimuli without directional selectivity. Receptive fields were usually of a large size (greater than 20 degrees) and for half the cells, extended into both contralateral and ipsilateral fields of vision. No retinotopy nor functional clustering within the nucleus could be demonstrated. These properties of the visual neurons in the Sg nucleus are discussed in relation to the afferent and efferent connections of this nucleus.