[Cortical control of afferent flow in the lateral geniculate body in the cat].

In experiments carried out on cats immobilized with d-tubocurarine unit responses within the dorsolateral geniculate nucleus were analyzed following visual cortex (testing) and optic chiasm (conditioning) stimulation. Two types of responses were found indicating the existence of principal and inhibitory cells in the nucleus. Optic chiasm stimulation was found to produce an inhibitory corticofugal effect on the responses of principal cells. A conclusion is made that these effects are mediated by inhibitory cells.