While it is well known that the different sensory modalities are primarily represented at separate locations within the central nervous system, there are numerous sites in which information from the different sensory modalities converge. Perhaps the best known structure where inputs from different sensory modalities converge is the superior colliculus. Here, not only are visual, auditory and somatosensory inputs present, but they also form organized representations of auditory and visual space as well a map of the body surface in addition, neurons that receive inputs from more than one sensory modality (i.e. multisensory) are found here in abundance. Although a great deal is known regarding the physiological properties of these multisensory neurons and how these characteristics apply to multisensory neurons elsewhere in the brain, little is known regarding the anatomical basis for multisensory convergence and integration. Therefore, the present study is focused on the following problem: How does the organization of the inputs from different sensory modalities to the deep layers of the superior colliculus relate to the multisensory nature of its constituent neurons?
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:vcu.edu/oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd-6166 |
| Date | 01 January 1993 |
| Creators | Shaia, Wayne Thomas |
| Publisher | VCU Scholars Compass |
| Source Sets | Virginia Commonwealth University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Theses and Dissertations |
| Rights | © The Author |
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