Auditory and Visual Cortical Evoked Potentials: Mechanisms of Action of Polysensory Stimuli in Adult and Newborn Cats

Abstract

Differences between evoked potentials were studied in adult and newborn cats. By introducing artificial rearing conditions, postnatal maturation of various wave complexes of auditory and visual evoked potentials were differently modified. Responses to polysensory stimuli revealed cerebral interaction in adult animals, and lack of it in the newborns. The results suggest that differences in morphological and functional maturation of the involved systems are responsible for lack of global responses to polysensory stimuli in the newborn animals.