.) The pulvinar is the largest nucleus in the thalamus. It is closely interconnected with many areas of visual cortex, with the temporal and parietal lobes, and with the superior colliculus. The pulvinar may play a crucial role in recovery of vision following blindness of central origin, and it has been implicated in the effects of stroke in man. It is thought to play an important role in the central processing of visual information and in the integration of eye movements with visual perception. The nature of that role is poorly understood. This research is part of a long-term project to research is expected to clarify both anatomical and functional relationships between subdivisions of visual cortex and two subdivisions of the pulvinar, and the functional significance of the tectopulvinar pathway. One goal is to determine the pattern of anatomical connections between pulvinar and cortex using axonal transport techniques. A second is to find out how information about relative motion is encoded in the pulvinar.
A third aim examines the possibility that information about relative motion reaches the pulvinar via the tectopulvinar projection. We will also test the possibility that the pulvinar relays an eye movement signal from colliculus to cortex for use in visual processing. These experiments will be done using microelectrode recording techniques. A fifth aim is to test the possibility that the pulvinar plays a crucial role in the perceptual integration of form and motion cues.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY002254-14
Application #
2158385
Study Section
Visual Sciences B Study Section (VISB)
Project Start
1978-12-01
Project End
1995-03-31
Budget Start
1993-04-01
Budget End
1995-03-31
Support Year
14
Fiscal Year
1993
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
State University of New York at Buffalo
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Dentistry
DUNS #
038633251
City
Buffalo
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
14260