Eye movement related activity in the visual cortex of dark-reared kittens

Abstract

Kittens reared in total darkness from birth were found to be behaviorally blind, when tested at the age of 15–20 weeks. Visual cortex EEGs were recorded with transcortical electrodes. During waking, potentials related to saccadic eye movements (EMPs) were present in the dark, though they were depressed in amplitude in the light. During paradoxical sleep, rapid eye movements, isolated or in bursts, were present at a normal rate, as were occipital waves related to ponto-geniculo-occipital activity. It is concluded that EMPs during waking and phasic bursts during paradoxical sleep represent central “built in” events uninfluenced by visual experience.