Visual Lateralization in Birds: From Neurotrophins to Cognition?

Abstract

Birds which are tested monocularly in visual discrimination tasks generally show higher performance levels with the right eye seeing. Due to the virtual complete decussation of the optic nerves, a right eye superiority is probably related to a left hemisphere dominance. If visual processes between the hemispheres differ, each half-brain might be differently prone to be deceived by visual illusions. Indeed pigeons tested with the herringbone illusions are deceived to a stronger extent with the right eye. These functional asymmetries are accompanied by anatomical left-right differences in the ascending thalamo- and tectofugal visual pathways in chicks and pigeons, respectively. The neuroanatomical and behavioral assymmetries result from an asymmetrical posture before hatching in which the embryo keeps his head turned to the right, such that the right eye is stimulated by light shining through the shell. The lateralization of adult animals are induced by this prehatching asymmetric photic stimulation since dark incubation abolishes behavioral and anatomical asymmetries. It is conceivable that the asymmetrical embryonal light stimulation increases the release of neurotrophins in the developing avian visual system in an activity dependent matter. Neurotrophins play an important role in neuronal survival and morphology and thus might represent a molecular switch bridging the gap from embryonal light stimulation to asymmetries of visual cognition in adults.