Work

Degradation of stimulus selectivity of visual cortical cells in senescent rhesus monkeys

Year: 2000

Type: article

Abstract: Human visual function declines with age. Much of this decline is probably mediated by changes in the central visual pathways. We compared the stimulus selectivity of cells in primary visual cortex (striate cortex or V1) in young adult and very old macaque monkeys using single-neuron in vivo electrophysiology. Our results provide evidence for a significant degradation of orientation and direction selectivity in senescent animals. The decreased selectivity of cells in old animals was accompanied by increased responsiveness to all orientations and directions as well as an increase in spontaneous activity. The decreased selectivities and increased excitability of cells in old animals are consistent with an age-related degeneration of intracortical inhibition. The neural changes described here could underlie declines in visual function during senescence.

Source: Nature Neuroscience

DOI: 10.1038/73957

Authors: Matthew T. Schmolesky, Youngchang Wang, Mingliang Pu, Audie G. Leventhal

Institution: University of Utah

Language: English

Topic: Visual perception and processing mechanisms

Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $12,690

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging, National Eye Institute