[Response of neurons of the visual cortex (area 18) to extraocular proprioceptive stimulation: development in normal or dark-reared cats and interaction with visual activity].

Single unit responses to stimulation of the extraocular muscle receptors or of their afferent fibers were recorded from the visual cortical area 18 in normally or dark-reared cats. These responses were improved by a random visual stimulation delivered during the test. These proprioceptive responses, elicited with or without random visual activation, changed with age and as a function of the postnatal rearing conditions. In the normally-reared group, neurons which were activated by stimulation of the afferents from the Obliquus inferior displayed a preferred orientation for visual stimulus oriented at right angle to action plane of this particular muscle.