Unit activity in the superior colliculus of the cat following passive eye movements

Abstract

Unit response in the superior colliculus and underlying structures has been examined in the chloralose-anaesthetized cat following passive movement of an occluded eye. One group of units was sensitive to small saccadic movements, responded regardless of the initial position of the eye, and in most instances responded to movements in opposite directions. A second numerically smaller group also responded when the eye was moved at saccadic velocity but only when the eye passed a fixed point. Such units with fixed positional thresholds were found following movements in both nasal and temporal directions as well as to both upward and downward movement. Both types of unit response were found after transection of the optic nerve and were also recorded when individual extraocular muscles were subjected to controlled stretch, It is assumed that most unit activity seen after passive movement of the occluded eye is due to activity in extraocular muscle receptors. In the deep layers of the superior colliculus responses to small eye movements were found to be due to the activation of very low threshold receptors sensitive to vibration in the facial area.