Lesion of the suprasylvian cortex impairs depth perception of cats

Using a 2-alternative-forced-choice-procedure on a jumping stand, four adult cats were trained to make simple depth discriminations. They were tested binocularly and monocularly before and after bilateral lesions of different parts of the lateral suprasylvian cortex. Our results give support to a functional segregation between the lateral suprasylvian visual areas (LSA) and area 7. Lesion of any of these areas impairs the ability to use binocular depth cues. However, lesion of LSA more severely impairs the ability to use monocular depth cues whereas binocular ones can still be used. After lesion of area 7, binocular depth cues can no longer be used. Additional undercutting of areas 17/18/19 leads to a performance similar to that of area 17/18 lesioned cats.