Role of monkey superior colliculus in saccade averaging

Exp Brain Res. 1990;79(1):143-9. doi: 10.1007/BF00228883.

Abstract

We have investigated the involvement of collicular movement cells in the monkey in the execution of averaging saccades, elicited by a visual double-step stimulus. We found that, qualitatively, most (12/14) movement cells were recruited during averaging saccades in roughly the same way as for comparable visually-elicited saccades to single targets (V-saccades). However, movement-cell responses during averaging saccades in trials where the target suddenly changed direction were often less intense than for a comparable V-saccade. In these cases, the averaging responses were observed to be also slower than V-saccades of the same amplitude. Firing rate and double-step saccade dynamics were found to be significantly correlated in 9/14 cells tested. Several hypotheses for the collicular role in the generation of averaging saccades are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials
  • Animals
  • Eye Movements / physiology*
  • Haplorhini / physiology*
  • Macaca fascicularis
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Saccades / physiology*
  • Superior Colliculi / physiology*