Development of bilateral somesthetic inputs into the pericruciate cortex of kittens: postsynaptic and evoked...

The early postnatal development of somesthetic inputs into the pericruciate cortex of kittens was studied by intra- and extracellular recording and cortical surface evoked potential monitoring. Equipotent bilateral influences from the forepaw and hindpaw skin to cortical neurons during the initial postnatal weeks in kittens were revealed. During the fourth week, the functional dominance of contralateral inputs into the motor area becomes evident. Considerable reduction of the latency of postsynaptic and evoked responses only to the contralateral stimulation and the enhancement of their stability and intensity occur.