This monographic work authored by eminent neurophysiologists will be of major interest to researchers investigating the visual system or working in behavioral neuroscience and sleep research. The book deals with the neuronal circuits of the visual thalamocortical system, the brainstem and basal forebrain modulatory systems and their neurotransmitters acting upon these circuits, and the neuronal activities in the visual thalamocortical system as changed during shifts in behavioral states of vigilance from wake to sleep. Data discussed consist of recent studies on light and electron microscopy, extra- and intracellular recordings of thalamic and cortical neurons, neurotransmitter actions, and state-dependent cellular activities in the visual system.

1 Prologue.- 2 Basic Circuits in the Visual Thalamocortical Systems and Their Physiological Aspects.- 2.1 The Lateral Geniculate-Perigeniculate Thalamic Complex.- 2.2 The Visual Cortex.- 3 Regulatory Systems of the Brain Stem Core, Basal Forebrain, and Hypothalamus.- 3.1 Cholinergic Cell Groups.- 3.2 Catecholaminergic Cell Groups.- 3.3 Serotonergic Cell Groups.- 3.4 Hypothalamic Cell Groups.- 4 Neurotransmitters.- 4.1 Acetylcholine.- 4.2 Monoamines.- 4.3 Amino Acids.- 4.4 Final Comments.- 5 State Dependency of Visual Thalamic and Cortical Activities.- 5.1 Background Activity: Bursting and Tonic Discharge Patterns.- 5.2 Excitatory-Inhibitory Processes During Sleep Oscillations and Tonically Activated States.- 6 References.- 7 Subject Index.