Kainic acid lesions in the cat's thalamus: morphological and behavioral changes.

Anatomical and behavioral effects of large and of circumscribed kainic acid lesions in the thalamus of the cat are described. Evidence is provided that even "athalamic" preparations seem possible and that cats with destruction of more than two thirds of their thalamus show only transitory disturbance of basic functions (eating, drinking, walking). It is concluded that fiber systems, traversing the thalamus, may be of particular importance for maintaining basic functions.