The Journal of physiology
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The Journal of physiology · Jul 1972
Comparison of receptive-field organization of the superior colliculus in Siamese and normal cats.
1. The superior colliculus has been studied in Siamese and normal cats by recording the responses of single tectal units to visual stimuli.2. The retinotopic organization of the superior colliculus has been compared in the two breeds. ⋯ The squint commonly exhibited by Siamese cats is regarded as a compensation for the anomalous retinotectal topography. It is suggested that, in the absence of an adaptive modification, the anomalous retinotectal projection would lead to mislocalization in Siamese cats just as it does in frogs and hamsters whose retinotectal projection has been experimentally altered. The convergent strabismus which Siamese cats commonly exhibit may be a cure for the abnormal retinal projections rather than a disease.