Abstract

This study proposes to investigate the coordinate basis for visual processing of retinal slip information in the pretectum (PT) and accessory optic system (AOS) of the monkey. This will be done by finding the planes of visual surround motion that produce maximal excitation and inhibition in neurons in these regions. Alert rhesus and cynomolgus monkeys will be used. They will be trained to watch spots of light projected on a screen. Using a planetary projector, motion of the visual surround will be produced in various planes around axes going through the center of the head. Visual motion in other planes will also be used. PT and AOS units, recorded extracellularly, will be identified wherever possible by antidromic and orthodromic stimulation. They will be tested to determine which planes of visual surround motion produce the greatest and least response. We anticipate that the maximum and minimum response planes of many PT and AOS neurons will be parallel to the planes of the semicircular canals. Effects of changes in eye position will be tested to determine if a central representation of retinal slip in stimulus planes is represented in activity of PT and AOS neurons. At regions where unt activity is associated with motion in various spatial planes, we will electrically stimulate and determine the plane of the induced eye movements. Electrolytic and chemical lesions will be made in PT and AOS and effects on OKN and OKAN will be determined. The visual cortex will be lesioned and effects on the response of PT and AOS neurons to surround motion will be noted. Finally, the pathways by which activity reaches the vestibular nuclei from PT and AOS will be determined. When this work is completed, we should have a clearer idea of how retinal slip related to head motion is coded, and over what pathways it projects to the brainstem. We should also understand better the organization of the subcortical visual system that sends activity to the vestibular system to help stabilize gaze during head movements.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY002296-10
Application #
3256666
Study Section
Visual Sciences B Study Section (VISB)
Project Start
1978-01-01
Project End
1989-12-31
Budget Start
1987-01-01
Budget End
1987-12-31
Support Year
10
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10029

  Publications

Yakushin, S B; Gizzi, M; Reisine, H et al. (2000) Functions of the nucleus of the optic tract (NOT). II. Control of ocular pursuit. Exp Brain Res 131:433-47
Yakushin, S B; Reisine, H; Buttner-Ennever, J et al. (2000) Functions of the nucleus of the optic tract (NOT). I. Adaptation of the gain of the horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflex. Exp Brain Res 131:416-32
Yakushin, S B; Raphan, T; Cohen, B (1999) Spatial properties of otolith units recorded in the vestibular nuclei. Ann N Y Acad Sci 871:458-62
Waitzman, D M; Silakov, V L; Cohen, B (1996) Central mesencephalic reticular formation (cMRF) neurons discharging before and during eye movements. J Neurophysiol 75:1546-72
Buttner-Ennever, J A; Cohen, B; Horn, A K et al. (1996) Efferent pathways of the nucleus of the optic tract in monkey and their role in eye movements. J Comp Neurol 373:90-107
Gizzi, M; Raphan, T; Rudolph, S et al. (1994) Orientation of human optokinetic nystagmus to gravity: a model-based approach. Exp Brain Res 99:347-60
Cohen, B; Reisine, H; Yokota, J I et al. (1992) The nucleus of the optic tract. Its function in gaze stabilization and control of visual-vestibular interaction. Ann N Y Acad Sci 656:277-96
Schiff, D; Cohen, B; Buttner-Ennever, J et al. (1990) Effects of lesions of the nucleus of the optic tract on optokinetic nystagmus and after-nystagmus in the monkey. Exp Brain Res 79:225-39
Cohen, B; Schiff, D; Buettner, J (1990) Contribution of the nucleus of the optic tract to optokinetic nystagmus and optokinetic afternystagmus in the monkey: clinical implications. Res Publ Assoc Res Nerv Ment Dis 67:233-55
Hepp, K; Henn, V; Vilis, T et al. (1989) Brainstem regions related to saccade generation. Rev Oculomot Res 3:105-212

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