Multiple Sensitive Periods in the Development of the Primate Visual System

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1986-04, Vol.232 (4747), p.235-238
• Main Authors: Harwerth, Ronald S., Smith, Earl L., Duncan, Gary C., Crawford, M. L. J., Von Noorden, Gunter K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age Factors; Animals; Binocular vision; Biological and medical sciences; Developmental biology; Eye; Eye and associated structures. Visual pathways and centers. Vision; Eyes; Eyes & eyesight; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Growth; Humans; Macaca mulatta - growth & development; Medical research; Monoculars; Pain sensitivity; Photoreceptor Cells - growth & development; Physical growth; Physiological aspects; Primates; Sensitive periods; Sensory deprivation; Sensory Deprivation - physiology; Space life sciences; Space Perception - physiology; Spectral sensitivity; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Vision research; Vision, Ocular - physiology; Visual deprivation; Visual Perception - physiology; Visual system; Wavelengths
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.3952507

Early in life, abnormal visual experience may disrupt the developmental processes required for the maturation and maintenance of normal visual function. The effects of retinal image deprivation (monocular form deprivation) on four psychophysical functions were investigated in rhesus monkeys to determine if the sensitive period is of the same duration for all types of visual information processing. The basic spectral sensitivity functions of rods and cones have relatively short sensitive periods of development (3 and 6 months) when compared to more complex functions such as monocular spatial vision or resolution (25 months) and binocular vision (>25 months). Therefore, there are multiple, partially overlapping sensitive periods of development and the sensitive period for each specific visual function is probably different.