A re-evaluation of the role of superior colliculus in turning behaviour

There is much debate on the role of the superior colliculus (SC) in turning behaviour. In order to clarify this issue, unilateral kainate lesions were made by infusing 0.25 microgram of kainate at two different anterior planes (0.8 mm apart), in the lateral or in the medial aspects of the deep collicular layers (DLSC), in the dorsal mesencephalic reticular formation (MRF), or in the lateral periaqueductal grey (PAG), both in normal rats and in rats made unilaterally supersensitive to DA-receptor agonists by unilateral infusion of 6-OHDA in the rostral substantia nigra. The effect of kainate lesions on spontaneous and apomorphine-induced motor behaviour was studied. In normal rats, unilateral kainate lesions of lateral DLSC or dorsal MRF resulted in short-lasting, spontaneous ipsiversive turning and persistent ipsiversive circling after peripheral administration of apomorphine. In 6-OHDA rats, kainate lesions of lateral DLSC or of dorsal MRF ipsilateral to 6-OHDA denervation reduced or even reversed the contralateral circling normally elicited in these rats by peripheral administration of apomorphine. Lesions of dorsal MRF, when compared with lesions of lateral DLSC, were more effective in producing these changes. Kainate lesions restricted to medial DLSC or to the PAG failed to elicit motor asymmetries in normal rats or to significantly modify the intensity of contralateral turning in 6-OHDA rats. These results clearly indicate that the SC plays an important role in turning behaviour. Failure of previous studies to research this conclusion probably derives from inadequate localization of collicular lesions and from the use of bilateral lesions.