Ocular dominance columns in cat striate cortex and effects of monocular deprivation: a 2-deoxyglucose study

Abstract

Ocular dominance columns were demonstrated in the visual cortex of kittens by [3H]-2-deoxyglucose autoradiography after monocular stimulation with patterns of different orientations. On horizontal sections through area 17, a pattern of periodic labelling extended throughout the entire thickness of the cortex. Three days of monocular deprivation disrupted that pattern. The ocular dominance columns driven by the deprived eye no longer extended through all cortical layers; only layer IV and immediately adjacent parts of layers III and V showed distinct periodic labelling. After 7 days of eyelid closure periodicity in layer IV was faint, but detectable. Heavy labelling of the lower part of the cortex, observed in normal animals, disappeared during monocular deprivation.