Effects of enucleation at different ages on the sizes of neurons in the lateral geniculate nucleus of infant and adult monkeys.

Cell areas have been measured in the lateral geniculate nucleus following enucleation in 7 infant and 3 adult monkeys. Deafferented cells showed rapid transneuronal degeneration. Following enucleation at birth non-deafferented parvocellular LGN cells underwent hypertrophy which was followed by a delayed return to normal size. Enucleation at 7 months of age caused marked shrinkage of non-deafferented parvocellular cells. These changes in the non-deafferented cells are similar to those following monocular lid closure at the same ages. Sizes of non-deafferented cells were unchanged following enucleation of adult monkeys.