[Electrophysiologic study of pretecto-cortical connections in rats]

In response to electrical stimulation of the pretectum in rats, the evoked potentials and extracellular neuronal reactions were recorded in the ipsilateral neocortex. Functional characteristics of the responses depended on the localization of the stimulated pretectal zone. During stimulation of the anterior pretectal nucleus, maximum evoked activity was found at the border between the 17th and the 18th areas, as well as in the area 18a. The evoked potentials are superficial and exhibit negative polarity. Unit responses are of phasic and phasic-tonic "on"-type.