Before we can understand how spatially coded information is converted to temporally coded discharge we need to know more about the connections between the upper level structures with spatial coding and the lower level structures using temporal coding. Anatomic methods can establish the existence of direct connections between neural structures but cannot tell us which functional types of cells form the connections. Electrophysiological single-cell techniques can provide the latter type of information. The first publication listed below describes how we have established which types of superior colliculus (SC) cells project to the premotor circuits and the spatial distribution of these projecting cells. In the second we have shown that SC projections do not form direct connections to immediate pre-motor cells called excititory burst neurons (EBN), but instead connect to a class of cells called long-lead burst neurons (LLBN).

Gandhi, N.J. and Keller, E.L. Spatial distribution and discharge characteristics of superior colliculus neurons antidromically activated from the omnipause region in monkey. J. Neurophysiol., 78:2221-2225, 1997.

Keller, E.L., McPeek, R.M. and Salz, T. Evidence against direct connections to paramedian pontine reticular formation excitatory burst neurons from SC in the monkey. J.Neurophysiol. 84:1303-1313, 2000.