title: Physiological properties of neurons in superficial layers of superior colliculus of rabbits.
abstract: Neurons in superficial layers of the superior colliculus of the rabbit are classified into three types by their electrophysiological properties. Among them, two types belong to projecting neurons which send axons to the thalamic pulvinar (N = 52) and dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (N = 54) respectively. All other neurons are pooled into the third type (N = 99). Projecting neurons of both types receive monosynaptic visual inputs via optic tract fibers of similar conduction velocity, indicating that in the superior colliculus of the rabbit, there is no difference in conduction velocity between the two pathways. They also receive trisynaptic inhibitory inputs, most likely via recurrent inhibitory circuits. The third type of neurons receives disynaptic optic and trisynaptic inhibitory inputs. The function of neurons of the third type is studied.
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Brain Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Luo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D011817:Rabbits; D013477:Superior Colliculi / Q000502:physiology*