Superior colliculus lesions and flash evoked potentials from rat cortex.

Abstract

It is generally assumed that the primary response of the rat flash evoked potential (FEP) is activated by a retino-geniculate path, and that the secondary response reflects input to the cortex by way of the superior colliculus (SC) or other brainstem structures. In the present study, male Long-Evans rats were implanted with monopolar screw electrodes placed over the left visual cortex, and a pair of twisted monopolar depth electrodes, which were used to produce electrolytic lesions, were placed in each SC. One half of the animals did not receive the electrolytic treatment (controls). FEP waveforms were obtained from all animals prior to treatment, and 2 and 5 days after treatment. Histological analysis was performed to verify electrode placement and determine lesion size. Electrolytic lesions resulting in massive destruction of the SC produced no decrement in any portion of the rat FEP but did produce an increase in amplitude of the N2P3 component. The data show that the secondary response is not generated by SC in rats, but that SC may modulate amplitude of the response.