Reversible mechanical fixation of eye position in awake head-restrained pigeons ( Columba livia)

Here we describe a method to fix gaze positions and to significantly reduce saccadic oscillations in pigeons. The procedure consists of a mechanical immobilization of the eye through the use of an electromagnet that exerts a radial force upon a small metal rectangle glued to the dorsal part of the e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of neuroscience methods 1999-09, Vol.91 (1), p.67-71
Main Authors: Letelier, Juan Carlos, Mpodozis, Jorge, Marin, Gonzalo, Morales, Daniver, Henny, Pablo, Madrid, Carlos, Velasco, Marcelo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Columbidae
Eye fixation
Eye Movements - physiology
Female
Fixation, Ocular - physiology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gaze control
General aspects. Models. Methods
Magnetics
Male
Neurons - physiology
Pigeon
Receptive-field
Restraint, Physical
Saccades
Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
Visual-system
Wakefulness - physiology
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Summary:Here we describe a method to fix gaze positions and to significantly reduce saccadic oscillations in pigeons. The procedure consists of a mechanical immobilization of the eye through the use of an electromagnet that exerts a radial force upon a small metal rectangle glued to the dorsal part of the eye. The method can be used in avian visual neurophysiology in order to hold the eye immobilized for periods of time, long enough to map the properties of visual receptive fields and investigate the possible functions of saccadic oscillations.
ISSN:0165-0270
1872-678X
DOI:10.1016/S0165-0270(99)00073-4