Audio-visual targeting reaction after unilateral lesions of the superior colliculus in cats

Abstract

Cats were trained to visually localize one of eight loudspeakers distributed in different spatial locations. The animals localized the activated sound source through a directed movement of ears, eyes and head towards it. The number of correct targeting reactions triggered by a tone stimulus from different spatial positions was strongly impaired in the operated animals in comparison to controls. The number of correct responses was higher when the tone stimuIus was presented from the side of the lesion. The role of the superior colliculus in the integration of audio-visual targeting reaction is discussed.