Propagation of photic evoked responses recorded from the retina, optic chiasm, lateral geniculate body, and visual cortex of the nutritionally rehabilitated rat visual system

Evoked responses to photic stimulation were measured simultaneously from the retina, optic nerve, lateral geniculate body, and visual cortex of normal adult rats and rats that were undernourished in early life and recovered. Waveforms of photic evoked responses from rehabilitated and normal rats were similar in all structures, although amplitudes were attenuated and peak latency was delayed in the retina and optic nerve of the experimental group; their ability to respond to rapidly repeated stimuli was diminished in the lateral geniculate body. Such regional differences may indicate that brain structures may vary in their susceptibility to early undernourishment and/or their recovery with rehabilitation.