Activity of movement sensitive neurons of the cat's tectum opticum during spontaneous eye movements

Summary Activity of tectal movement specific neurons was recorded during spontaneous eye movements in total darkness and in presence of stationary visual stimuli. According to their reactions in presence or absence of stationary visual stimuli tectal units can be divided into four categories:1. Neurons which are silent or discharge independently of eye movements, when the animal stays in total darkness, but which fire in synchrony with eye movements when stationary stimuli are presented. 2. Neurons which remain unaffected when the animal makes eye movements in total darkness or in presence of a stationary pattern. 3. Neurons which fire in synchrony with eye movements in absence and in presence of stationary patterns. In a few of these neurons tested curarization of the animal led to a marked increase of spontaneous activity. 4. Neurons whose spontaneous and stimulus driven discharge is suppressed in synchrony with eye movements when the animal is exposed to total darkness or when it faces stationary patterns