Afferent visual pathways and receptive field properties of superior colliculus neurons in stroboscopically reared cats.

Unit recordings were made in the superior colliculus of strobe-reared cats. Receptive field properties were studied and electrical stimulation in the chiasma and optic tract made it possible to characterize the visual input. The retinal Y-cell input and the cortical input were found to be deficient. The principal response deficit was the decrease of selective response to direction of movement, also shown to be largely absent in the corticotectal pathway. These results are compared to similar findings in dark-reared animals and discussed in connection with the importance of visual movement to the developing visual system.