An N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist does not prevent eye-specific segregation in the ferret retinogeniculate pathway.

Recent studies have shown that electrical activity, particularly that mediated by NMDA receptors, has a profound effect on the development of specific neuronal connections. Blocking NMDA receptors in the ferret's lateral geniculate nucleus prevents the segregation of retinal afferents into ON and OFF sublaminae. We have now examined the involvement of NMDA receptors in the separation of afferents from the two eyes that occurs in the lateral geniculate nucleus several weeks earlier in development. Blockade of NMDA receptor activity does not appear to interfere with this eye-specific segregation.