Increased projection from the locus coeruleus to the lateral geniculate nucleus and visual cortex in young adult rats following unilateral enucleation.

Rats of 30 and 60 days of age were subjected to removal of one eye, and electrophysiological experiments were carried out to see if the density of the projection from the locus coeruleus to the visual centers such as the lateral geniculate nucleus and visual cortex increased. In rats with an eye removed at 30 days, the projection of locus coeruleus neurons increased in the lateral geniculate nucleus contralateral and visual cortex ipsilateral to the removed eye, whereas rats with an eye removed at 60 days did not show any notable change in the density of the projection.