Visual-evoked responses in the salmon telencephalon change during smolt transformation.

During smolt transformation, salmon behaviour changes dramatically and the fish are imprinted to their natal stream. This brief episode is accompanied by changes in neurochemistry and connectivity of the brain. Comparing visual-evoked potentials, recorded from optic tectum and telencephalon by glass microcapillaries, we found pronounced differences before and after smolt transformation in the telencephalon. In the forebrain of presmolts, only small short-latency responses are present whereas postsmolts display large long-latency waves which characteristic dynamic properties in addition. These findings suggest changes in the functional role of the telencephalon during smolt transformation.