[Compensatory irradiation of excitation following partial deafferentation of the midbrain tectum of Serranus scriba].

The unit activity studies in the fish (Serranus scriba) tectum opticum showed that, after surgical isolation of a retinal segment, there was a slowing of spontaneous unit activity in the partially deafferented portion of the projection area, whereas the firing rate of responses to illumination of the remaining retina increased. Changes in information processes, latencies, and other response characteristics indicate that deafferented neurons could be activated as a result of intratectal spread of excitation.