title: Synchronization of neuronal responses in the optic tectum of awake pigeons.
abstract: Multiunit activity was recorded in the optic tectum of awake pigeons with two electrodes at sites varying in depth and separated by 0.3 to 3.0 mm. Autocorrelation and cross-correlation functions were computed from the recorded spike trains to determine temporal relationships in the neuronal firing patterns. Cross-correlation analysis revealed that spatially separate groups of cells in the tectum show synchronous responses to a visual stimulus. Strong synchronization occurred in both superficial and deep layers of the tectum, in general with zero-phase shift. The response synchronization in the avian optic tectum resembles that observed in the mammalian cortex, suggesting that it may subserve common functions in visual processing.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Hirnforschung, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Neuenschwander
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: König
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Singer
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Varela
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D010856:Columbidae / Q000502:physiology*; D009433:Neural Inhibition; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009991:Oscillometry; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011930:Reaction Time; D013477:Superior Colliculi / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*