[Behavioral and neuronal effects of visual deprivation in cats]

Recent data obtained in the Nencki Institute are reviewed. In the cats deprived of pattern vision from birth several deficits were observed: (I) A simultaneous object discrimination learning for food reward was strongly impaired. However, retention of discrimination was only slightly impaired by bisual cortex ablation. (II) Ocular following reflex was impaired. (III) In the living cages stereotyped behavior appeared. (IV) Direction selectivity of superior colliculus units was impaired. (V) Percentage distribution of insoluble proteins in the electrophoretic pattern from visual and somatic sensory cortex was affected.