Eye movements in depth: What does the monkey's parietal cortex tell the superior colliculus?

Abstract

We have recorded identified cortico-tectal neurons from the primate parietal cortex to determine whether the depth-related activity in the intraparietal sulcus (area LIP) is transmitted to the superior colliculus. Traditional theory suggests that the superior colliculus is involved in the control of conjugate, saccadic eye movements and thus would not require inputs related to depth. We provide conclusive evidence that area LIP neurons in fact do transmit depth-related information to the superior colliculus.