Effects of eye closure on the spiking activity of human lateral geniculate neurons

Abstract

We recorded spiking activity in the human lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), which links the retina with the primary visual cortex. The cells had receptive-field properties resembling those of monkeys. Responses were largely monocular and the closure of one eye decreased the spontaneous activity of neurons with broader spikes preferring this eye and increased the activity of neurons with narrower spikes, suggesting that interneurons might gate LGN activity during eye closure.