A function of the corpus callosum in the Siamese cat.

Recordings were made from 180 single cells, or cell clusters, in the Clare-Bishop area of two Siamese cats. In one cat, the corpus callosum had been sectioned prior to recording and all cells were driven by the contralateral eye exclusively. In the other recordings were made before and after callosal section. Before callosal section, most cells were binocularly driven but dominated by the contralateral eye. There were striking examples of binocular interaction and some cells could only be activated by simultaneous binocular stimulation. After callosal section, cells were driven by the contralateral eye only. The same experiment performed in a normal cat revealed no change in binocularity following section of the corpus callosum. We conclude that one of the functions of the corpus callosum in the Siamese cat is to generate binocular neurons.